How far is Gatlinburg, TN from Knoxville, TN?

The driving distance from Gatlinburg, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m 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
38.35 mi
00h 58m
Flight
28.52 mi
45.9 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gatlinburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.52 mi
Kilometers
45.9 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
38.35 mi
Kilometers
61.72 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 00h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Knoxville
Thu, May 14, 1:57 PM EDT
Return by in Gatlinburg
Thu, May 14, 2:56 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gatlinburg
2026-05-14T12:58
Arrive Knoxville
Thu, May 14, 1:57 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gatlinburg
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
Sevierville
TN

Town in Seiver County, Tennessee, USA

From Gatlinburg
18.8 mi
00h 29m
To Knoxville
19.6 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    16 m · 4 sec

  2. 2

    Turn slight right

    108 m · 32 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Parkway

    1.2 mi · 4 min · Parkway

  4. 4

    Continue on Gatlinburg Spur Road

    4.2 mi · 8 min · Gatlinburg Spur Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Parkway

    7.1 mi · 12 min · Parkway

  6. 6

    Take the exit left toward US 411 North

    38 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Forks of the River Parkway

    3212 ft · 50 sec · Forks of the River Parkway

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Chapman Highway

    22.1 mi · 26 min · Chapman Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Henley Street

    2385 ft · 53 sec · Henley Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gatlinburg 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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Chapman Highway
22.1 mi · 58%
Parkway
8.27 mi · 22%
Gatlinburg Spur Road
4.18 mi · 11%
West Main Street
1.78 mi · 5%
Forks of the River Parkway
0.61 mi · 2%
Henley Street
0.45 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Chapman Highway

Continue on Chapman Highway

22.1 mi · 00h 26m

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
00h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.8 mi
28.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sevierville
00h 29m from Gatlinburg
Leave By
4:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gatlinburg and Sunny near Knoxville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?

Sevierville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.8 miles from Gatlinburg and 19.6 miles from Knoxville.

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

The direct path is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.09 one way or $10.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gatlinburg and Sunny near Knoxville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gatlinburg and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 28.52 mi (45.9 km).

Gatlinburg

#1 Gatlinburg

Resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee

Population3,779
Coordinates35.7145300, -83.5118900
Altitude394
CountryUnited States
Knoxville

#2 Knoxville

The most populous city in Tennessee.

Population190,223
Coordinates35.9606400, -83.9207400
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Start: (-83.5117, 35.714472)
End: US 11 (-83.920795, 35.960617)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 62 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.35 gal
5.12 L · about $5.09
Round trip
$10.18
2.7 gal · 10.24 L
Estimated CO2
12 kg one way
Round trip: 24 kg / 53 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.09 $10.18
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.74 $11.48
Premium $4.65 $6.28 $12.57
Diesel $5.30 $7.16 $14.32

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Gatlinburg and Knoxville. The current time is 12:58:46.

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.