How far is Knoxville, TN from Central, TN?
The driving distance from Knoxville, TN to Central, TN is about 355.9 miles (572.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 314.5 miles (506.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EST.
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 06h 46m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The twenty-second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Nashville metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Central.
-
1
Start on Henley Street
1056 ft · 20 sec · Henley Street
-
2
Continue on Henley Street
727 ft · 14 sec · Henley Street
-
3
Turn slight left onto Western Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Western Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
2326 ft · 43 sec · Ailor Avenue
-
5
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West, I 75 South
1637 ft · 40 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
18.3 mi · 21 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
154.8 mi · 2 hr 47 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
2.1 mi · 3 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
2263 ft · 43 sec
-
10
Merge slight right onto Downtown Loop
1 km · 52 sec · Downtown Loop
-
11
Continue on Downtown Loop
2.3 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Memphis
141.8 mi · 2 hr 33 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
1247 ft · 32 sec
-
14
Turn right onto East Main Street
9.5 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward West Main Street
122 m · 11 sec · West Main Street
-
16
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
-
17
Turn right onto Haralson Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Haralson Street
-
18
Turn right
15.7 mi · 23 min
-
19
Turn right onto Eastland Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Eastland Avenue
-
20
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Highland Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
980 ft · 25 sec · South Jefferson Street
-
22
Turn left onto South Washington Street
81 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
-
23
Turn right onto Monroe Street
140 m · 13 sec · Monroe Street
-
24
Turn left onto Lake Drive
575 ft · 11 sec · Lake Drive
-
25
Turn straight onto Cleveland Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Street
-
26
Continue on Edith-Nankipoo Road
2.7 mi · 7 min · Edith-Nankipoo Road
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Edith-Nankipoo Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville and Central.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Nashville
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
155 mi · 02h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Knoxville and Mostly Sunny near Central.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knoxville to Central?
The road trip is about 355.9 miles (572.7 km) and usually takes 06h 46m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Nashville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.5 miles from Knoxville and 178.3 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 314.5 miles (506.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 7:30 AM EST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.25 one way or $92.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Knoxville and Central, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Knoxville and Mostly Sunny near Central.
Stop Ideas Near Nashville
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 Nashville.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Central. Straight-line distance: 314.56 mi (506.24 km).
#1 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.8036900, -89.5373000 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-89.5373, 35.80369)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 573 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.68 | $46.25 | $92.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $52.12 | $104.25 |
| Premium | $4.56 | $57.31 | $114.62 |
| Diesel | $5.90 | $74.07 | $148.13 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026