How far is Cowan, TN from Knoxville, TN?

The driving distance from Cowan, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 166.5 miles (268 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 129.7 miles (208.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
166.5 mi
02h 41m
Flight
129.7 mi
208.73 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cowan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
129.7 mi
Kilometers
208.73 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
166.5 mi
Kilometers
267.95 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 02h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Knoxville
Sat, Apr 18, 11:09 PM EDT
Return by in Cowan
Sun, Apr 19, 12:51 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cowan
2026-04-18T19:27
Arrive Knoxville
Sat, Apr 18, 10:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:42 AM to 1:42 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cowan
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Cleveland
TN

A city in Bradley County, Tennessee.

From Cowan
83.1 mi
01h 21m
To Knoxville
83.3 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
88°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cowan and Knoxville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cowan and Knoxville.

  1. 1

    Start on Tennessee Avenue North

    3 m · 6 sec · Tennessee Avenue North

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Cumberland Street East

    1.4 km · 1 min · Cumberland Street East

  3. 3

    Continue on Sewanee Highway

    5 mi · 7 min · Sewanee Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on Sollace M Freeman Highway

    2 mi · 3 min · Sollace M Freeman Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Sewanee Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Sewanee Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on David Crockett Highway

    2171 ft · 37 sec · David Crockett Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right

    1572 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto I 24;US 64

    50.5 mi · 59 min · I 24;US 64

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville

    1.4 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    99.2 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

    2116 ft · 28 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

    2403 ft · 56 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Henley Street

    1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Henley Street

    78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cowan and Knoxville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
103 mi · 62%
I 24
25.3 mi · 15%
US 64
25.3 mi · 15%
Sewanee Highway
6.8 mi · 4%
Sollace M Freeman Highway
1.99 mi · 1%
West Main Street
1.62 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 North

Merge slight left

99.2 mi · 01h 50m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.8 mi
129.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cleveland
01h 21m from Cowan
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cowan 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 Cowan to Knoxville?

The road trip is about 166.5 miles (268 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Cleveland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.1 miles from Cowan and 83.3 miles from Knoxville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 129.7 miles (208.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.17 one way or $44.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Cowan 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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cowan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Knoxville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cowan and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 129.7 mi (208.73 km).

Cowan

#1 Cowan

Human settlement in Franklin County, Tennessee, United States of America

Population1,668
Coordinates35.1645300, -86.0105400
Altitude297
CountryUnited States
Knoxville

#2 Knoxville

The most populous city in Tennessee.

Population190,223
Coordinates35.9606400, -83.9207400
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Start: Cumberland Street East (-86.010523, 35.164492)
End: US 11 (-83.920795, 35.960617)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 268 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.88 gal
22.24 L · about $22.17
Round trip
$44.35
11.76 gal · 44.48 L
Estimated CO2
52.3 kg one way
Round trip: 104.5 kg / 230 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.17 $44.35
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.01 $50.02
Premium $4.65 $27.37 $54.73
Diesel $5.30 $31.19 $62.38

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 · Apr 19, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Cowan, TN and Knoxville, TN. The current time in Cowan is 19:27:39, although it is 20:27:39 in Knoxville.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.