How far is Clifton, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance from Clifton, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 287.8 miles (463.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 232.1 miles (373.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 30m 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 45m.
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Knoxville.
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1
Start on West Water Street
1558 ft · 32 sec · West Water Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Walnut Street
141 m · 10 sec · Walnut Street
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3
Turn right onto West Pillow Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Pillow Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Billy Nance Boulevard
15.2 mi · 17 min · Billy Nance Boulevard
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5
Continue straight
22 mi · 25 min
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6
Take the exit slight right
1391 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left
81.4 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
1305 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
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10
Continue on Downtown Loop
2764 ft · 43 sec · Downtown Loop
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11
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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12
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 4 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2116 ft · 28 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2403 ft · 56 sec
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15
Continue on Henley Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street
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16
Continue on Henley Street
78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton 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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Clifton and Sunny near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 287.8 miles (463.1 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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 150.5 miles from Clifton and 137.3 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 232.1 miles (373.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.7 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 7:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.28 one way or $76.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Clifton and Knoxville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Clifton and Sunny 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 Clifton and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 232.09 mi (373.51 km).
#1 Clifton
City in Wayne County, Tennessee, United States of America
| Population | 2,655 |
| Coordinates | 35.3870200, -87.9953100 |
| Altitude | 123 |
| 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: 463 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.28 | $76.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.17 | $86.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.24 | $94.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.84 | $107.67 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.