How far is Central, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance from Central, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 353.4 miles (568.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 314.5 miles (506.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The twenty-second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Nashville metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central and Knoxville.
-
1
Start on Edith-Nankipoo Road
2.7 mi · 7 min · Edith-Nankipoo Road
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2
Continue on Cleveland Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Street
-
3
Continue on Lake Drive
575 ft · 12 sec · Lake Drive
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4
Turn right onto Monroe Street
140 m · 14 sec · Monroe Street
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5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
81 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
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6
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
980 ft · 25 sec · South Jefferson Street
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Highland Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Highland Avenue
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8
Turn left onto Eastland Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Eastland Avenue
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9
Turn left
15.7 mi · 23 min
-
10
Turn left onto Haralson Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Haralson Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Main Street
120 m · 7 sec · East Main Street
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13
Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street
9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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14
Turn left onto US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
784 ft · 17 sec
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15
Merge slight left
141.5 mi · 2 hr 32 min
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
1305 ft · 25 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
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18
Continue on Downtown Loop
2764 ft · 43 sec · Downtown Loop
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
173.8 mi · 3 hr 10 min
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20
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 4 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2116 ft · 28 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2403 ft · 56 sec
-
23
Continue on Henley Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street
-
24
Continue on Henley Street
78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central and Knoxville.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
174 mi · 03h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Central and Sunny near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 353.4 miles (568.7 km) and usually takes 05h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Nashville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.6 miles from Central and 175.7 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 314.5 miles (506.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:54 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.91 one way or $91.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 110.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Central and Knoxville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Central and Sunny near Knoxville.
Stop Ideas Near Nashville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Nashville.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 314.56 mi (506.24 km).
#1 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.8036900, -89.5373000 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
End: US 11 (-83.920795, 35.960617)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 569 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.68 | $45.91 | $91.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $51.75 | $103.50 |
| Premium | $4.56 | $56.90 | $113.80 |
| Diesel | $5.90 | $73.54 | $147.07 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Tennessee · Nov 06, 2026