Spanning 328.9 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Selmer to Knoxville is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 17 minutes. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day, though you should plan for at least one stop to break up the time behind the wheel. Expect to budget approximately $50 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Since both locations reside in the Southeast, you will remain within the same regional landscape throughout your travels. This is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable connection between these two Tennessee points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
164.4 miles from Selmer, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
258.1 mi
4h 40m
US 641
19.2 mi
22m
TN 22
15.5 mi
21m
State Route 100
15.2 mi
22m
US 64
12.3 mi
16m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
North Maple Street
2.9 mi
4m
East Court Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 258.1 mi, about 4h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Selmer, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on US 64 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·East Court Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 64
12 mi·16 min·US 64
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto SR 22
2.9 mi·4 min·North Maple Street
4
Continue on TN 22
16 mi·21 min·TN 22
5
Turn right onto TN 100
15 mi·22 min·State Route 100
6
Turn left onto US 641; SR 202
19 mi·22 min·US 641; SR 202
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
8
Merge onto I 40
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
16
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 17-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you arrive in Knoxville before dark. Since the route relies so heavily on I-40, keep a close watch on real-time traffic updates, as accidents on this major corridor can significantly impact your travel time. With only one recommended stop, choose a location mid-way through your 328.9-mile journey to refuel both your car and your energy levels. Because this is a high-speed route, take advantage of the flexibility of a one-day trip by planning your rest break around the 258.1-mile stretch where highway driving is most intense.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 164.4 miles from Selmer, TN, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 72 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.4 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Selmer, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Selmer, TN
This is one driving day of about 328.9 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Selmer, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 258.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 66.5 and 328.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
66.5 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
147.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
151 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
327.7 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Take the exit toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...
7
328.1 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.42 one way
$102.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$56.46
$112.91
premium
$4.89
$63.29
$126.59
diesel
$5.61
$72.62
$145.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.7
1
$34.53
$15.79
Efficient EV
82.2
0
$28.78
$13.16
EV Truck/SUV
131.6
1
$46.05
$21.05
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Selmer, TN
Afternoon
in Selmer on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Afternoon
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
4:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 17m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 170.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive dominated by high-speed travel, as 97% of your journey takes place on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a massive 258.1-mile uninterrupted stretch of the trip. While you will start your journey utilizing US 641 and TN 22, the transition to the interstate defines the personality of this drive. It is a classic highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. Expect a consistent, steady pace that allows you to cover significant ground without the distraction of frequent turns or technical driving conditions.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 258.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 66.5 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 328.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 66.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Selmer, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
Knoxville, in Knox County, is the third-largest city in Tennessee. It is the home of the University of Tennessee's primary campus (UTK) and site of the 1982 World's Fair.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 328.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 258.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Knoxville, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 66.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Knoxville, TN before the return drive.
