How far is Dayton, TN from Knoxville, TN?

The driving distance from Dayton, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 81.1 miles (130.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 69.2 miles (111.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
81.06 mi
01h 20m
Flight
69.2 mi
111.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dayton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
69.2 mi
Kilometers
111.37 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.06 mi
Kilometers
130.46 km
Drive Time
01h 20m

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 01h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Knoxville
Wed, May 13, 6:06 PM EDT
Return by in Dayton
Wed, May 13, 7:27 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dayton
2026-05-13T16:45
Arrive Knoxville
Wed, May 13, 6:06 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dayton
9:30 PM EDT
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
Midtown
TN

Neighborhood in Manhattan in New York City

From Dayton
39.8 mi
00h 40m
To Knoxville
41.2 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 13 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
10 mph W
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue

    48 m · 11 sec · 2nd Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Market Street

    105 m · 14 sec · Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

    1348 ft · 25 sec · 3rd Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left

    26.2 mi · 34 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Spring City Highway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Spring City Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on South Gateway Avenue

    2.7 mi · 3 min · South Gateway Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Roane State Highway

    5.4 mi · 6 min · Roane State Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    2170 ft · 53 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    36.6 mi · 41 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  11. 11

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

    2116 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

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

    2403 ft · 56 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Henley Street

    1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Henley Street

    78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Dayton 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
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Roane State Highway
45.3 mi · 56%
Spring City Highway
4.1 mi · 5%
South Gateway Avenue
2.74 mi · 3%
Convention Center
0.86 mi · 1%
Henley Street
0.28 mi
3rd Avenue
0.26 mi
Longest Stretch

Roane State Highway

Merge slight left

36.6 mi · 00h 41m

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
01h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.9 mi
69.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Midtown
00h 40m from Dayton
Leave By
3:48 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Dayton and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knoxville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dayton to Knoxville?

The road trip is about 81.1 miles (130.5 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?

Midtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.8 miles from Dayton and 41.2 miles from Knoxville.

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

The direct path is about 69.2 miles (111.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.79 one way or $21.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Dayton and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knoxville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dayton and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 69.2 mi (111.37 km).

Dayton

#1 Dayton

City and county seat in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States

Population7,332
Coordinates35.4939600, -85.0124500
Altitude212
CountryUnited States
Knoxville

#2 Knoxville

The most populous city in Tennessee.

Population190,223
Coordinates35.9606400, -83.9207400
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Start: 2nd Avenue (-85.012298, 35.494134)
End: US 11 (-83.920795, 35.960617)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 130 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.86 gal
10.83 L · about $10.79
Round trip
$21.57
5.72 gal · 21.66 L
Estimated CO2
25.4 kg one way
Round trip: 50.8 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.79 $21.57
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.16 $24.33
Premium $4.65 $13.31 $26.62
Diesel $5.30 $15.17 $30.34

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

There is no time difference between Dayton and Knoxville. The current time is 16:45:48.

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.