How far is Knoxville, TN from Chapel Hill, TN?
The driving distance from Knoxville, TN to Chapel Hill, TN is about 204.4 miles (328.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.1 miles (252.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 38m 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 49m.
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.
City in Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Chapel Hill.
-
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
132.7 mi · 2 hr 23 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
9
Continue on Tennessee National Guard Parkway
34.1 mi · 37 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
2443 ft · 48 sec
-
11
Turn left onto Horton Highway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Horton Highway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Horton Highway
12.7 mi · 19 min · Horton Highway
-
13
Continue on North Horton Parkway
1965 ft · 39 sec · North Horton Parkway
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Horton Parkway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville and Chapel Hill.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Nashville
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
133 mi · 02h 23m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Knoxville and Partly Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knoxville to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 204.4 miles (328.9 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?
Cookeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.1 miles from Knoxville and 102.3 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.1 miles (252.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.3 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 9:22 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.19 one way or $54.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Knoxville and Chapel Hill, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Knoxville and Partly Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Cookeville
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 Cookeville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 157.09 mi (252.81 km).
#1 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.6264600, -86.6933300 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chapel Hill (-86.69333, 35.62646)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 329 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.19 | $54.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.66 | $61.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.56 | $67.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.24 | $76.48 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.