How far is Chapel Hill, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 204.2 miles (328.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.1 miles (252.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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 03h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
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 South Horton Parkway
1965 ft · 39 sec · South Horton Parkway
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2
Continue on Nashville Highway
15.4 mi · 23 min · Nashville Highway
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro
1.1 km · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
33.9 mi · 36 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left
149.1 mi · 2 hr 42 min
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7
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2116 ft · 28 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2403 ft · 56 sec
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10
Continue on Henley Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street
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11
Continue on Henley Street
78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street
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12
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
Merge slight left
149 mi · 02h 42m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Chapel Hill and Partly Sunny 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 204.2 miles (328.6 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Cookeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102 miles from Chapel Hill and 102.2 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.1 miles (252.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.1 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 10:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.15 one way or $54.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64 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 Partly Sunny around Chapel Hill and Partly Sunny near Knoxville.
Stop Ideas Near Cookeville
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 Cookeville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 157.09 mi (252.81 km).
#1 Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.6264600, -86.6933300 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| 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: 329 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.15 | $54.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.62 | $61.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.51 | $67.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.19 | $76.38 |
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 · May 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.