How far is Chapel Hill, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 298.3 miles (480 km), with a travel time of about 04h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.1 miles (413.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 04h 40m.
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.
City in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Knoxville.
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1
Start on the route
989 ft · 44 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Joe Horton Road
902 ft · 42 sec · Joe Horton Road
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3
Turn right onto Life Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Life Road
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4
Continue on Life Road
5 mi · 9 min · Life Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Lexington Bypass
1.3 mi · 2 min · Lexington Bypass
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Broad Street
11.9 mi · 18 min · South Broad Street
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7
Take the ramp right toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
1179 ft · 25 sec
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8
Merge slight left
99.3 mi · 1 hr 47 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
1305 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
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11
Continue on Downtown Loop
2764 ft · 43 sec · Downtown Loop
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12
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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13
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 4 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2116 ft · 28 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2403 ft · 56 sec
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16
Continue on Henley Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street
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17
Continue on Henley Street
78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Knoxville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Chapel Hill and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 298.3 miles (480 km) and usually takes 04h 40m 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?
Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.8 miles from Chapel Hill and 148.5 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.1 miles (413.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.67 one way or $79.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chapel Hill and Knoxville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Chapel Hill and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Knoxville.
Stop Ideas Near Lebanon
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 Lebanon.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 257.14 mi (413.82 km).
#1 Chapel Hill
Human settlement in Marshall County, Tennessee, United States of America
| Population | 1,571 |
| Coordinates | 35.5986800, -88.4867200 |
| Altitude | 167 |
| 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: 480 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.67 | $79.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.74 | $89.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.96 | $97.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.80 | $111.60 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.