How far is Knoxville, TN from Brighton, TN?
The driving distance from Knoxville, TN to Brighton, TN is about 196.4 miles (316 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.2 miles (248.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 52m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Brighton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Brighton.
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1
Start on Henley Street
1056 ft · 20 sec · Henley Street
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2
Continue on Henley Street
727 ft · 14 sec · Henley Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Western Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Western Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
2326 ft · 43 sec · Ailor Avenue
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West, I 75 South
1637 ft · 40 sec
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6
Merge slight left
18.3 mi · 21 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga
83.1 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
1.1 km · 56 sec
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9
Continue on Chattanooga, Nashville
51.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
990 ft · 27 sec
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11
Turn slight right
15 m · 10 sec
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12
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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13
Continue on David Crockett Highway
2171 ft · 37 sec · David Crockett Highway
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14
Continue on Sewanee Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Sewanee Highway
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15
Continue on Sollace M Freeman Highway
2 mi · 3 min · Sollace M Freeman Highway
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16
Continue on Sewanee Highway
5 mi · 7 min · Sewanee Highway
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17
Continue on Cumberland Street East
2.6 mi · 4 min · Cumberland Street East
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18
Continue on Cowan Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Cowan Highway
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19
Take the ramp left
1144 ft · 32 sec
-
20
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Drive
3.6 mi · 4 min · Veterans Memorial Drive
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21
Continue on David Crockett Highway
13.2 mi · 15 min · David Crockett Highway
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22
Continue on Winchester Highway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Winchester Highway
-
23
Turn left onto Flintville Road
2775 ft · 57 sec · Flintville Road
-
24
Turn right onto Howell Hill Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Howell Hill Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Howell Hill Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville and Brighton.
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 75 South
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga
83.1 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Knoxville and Sunny near Brighton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knoxville to Brighton?
The road trip is about 196.4 miles (316 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?
East Brainerd is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.2 miles from Knoxville and 98.2 miles from Brighton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.2 miles (248.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.13 one way or $52.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Knoxville and Brighton, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Knoxville and Sunny near Brighton.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Brighton. Straight-line distance: 154.13 mi (248.05 km).
#1 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Brighton
Town in Tennessee, USA
| Population | 2,929 |
| Coordinates | 35.0800900, -86.4391600 |
| Altitude | 290 |
| Country | United States |
End: Brighton (-86.43916, 35.08009)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.13 | $52.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.47 | $58.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.76 | $73.51 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.