This 275.2-mile journey from Waynesboro, TN to Knoxville, TN will take you about 4 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Given its manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, with no highway driving involved, offering a more connected experience to the communities you pass through. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $42. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so expect a consistent regional feel throughout your travels. This is a straightforward drive, ideal for those who prefer to stay off the interstate.
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
137.5 miles from Waynesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
152 mi
2h 45m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
45 mi
48m
Lawrenceburg Highway
30.3 mi
34m
United States Route 64
14.4 mi
16m
I 65
12.1 mi
12m
TN 240
10 mi
17m
SR 240
4.9 mi
8m
SR 20
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 152 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesboro, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on TN 13
222 ft·6 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto Hill Street
197 ft·3 sec·Hill Street
3
Turn straight onto Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
4
Continue on US 64
14 mi·16 min·United States Route 64
5
Turn left onto SR 240
4.9 mi·8 min·SR 240
6
Turn straight onto TN 240
10 mi·17 min·TN 240
7
Continue on SR 20; SR 240
1.3 mi·1 min·SR 20; SR 240
8
Turn straight onto TN 20
0.7 mi·1 min·TN 20
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 43
30 mi·34 min·Lawrenceburg Highway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
11
Merge onto I 65
12 mi·12 min·I 65
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 59A-BToward I 840: Memphis, KnoxvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
Exit 59AToward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
14
Merge onto I 840
45 mi·48 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 76AToward I 40 East: Knoxville, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 40
149 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
20
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of 275.2 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 24 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially since there are no designated long stretches of uninterrupted driving. With one stop suggested, plan for a mid-drive break to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as local roads can sometimes mean less frequent gas stations compared to major highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $42, so budget accordingly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.5 miles from Waynesboro, TN, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152 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 61 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.5 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
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 Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro, TN
This is one driving day of about 275 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Waynesboro, 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 152 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 75.4 and 274.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
75.4 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59A-B
Toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
7
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59A
Toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
9
121.2 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
6
273.9 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
274.3 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
$40.61 one way
$81.22 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.83
$89.67
premium
$4.72
$51.06
$102.12
diesel
$4.80
$51.93
$103.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.5
1
$28.88
$13.20
Efficient EV
68.8
0
$24.06
$11.00
EV Truck/SUV
110
1
$38.50
$17.60
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Waynesboro, TN
Late night
in Waynesboro on Monday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
0 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Monday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph29% 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
2 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
5h 14m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 94.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads for the entire 275.2 miles, rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. Since there's no mention of a longest uninterrupted stretch, be prepared for frequent turns and changes in speed as you traverse through towns and rural areas. The lack of highway driving suggests a more immersive experience, allowing you to see more of the landscape and local life as you make your way toward Knoxville.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75.4 miles in.
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 275 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 75.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,991 ft568 ft
Total Climb
1,989 ft
Total Descent
1,844 ft
Highest Point
1,991 ft
~196.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,423 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waynesboro, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro and Lebanon.
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.
Top landmarks
•Sunsphere — observation tower in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
•Andrew Johnson Building — historic high-rise in Knoxville, Tennessee
•Ayres Hall — historic academic building at the University of Tennessee, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 275 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 75.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.2 miles: 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
