How far is Knoxville, TN from Dresden, TN?
The driving distance from Knoxville, TN to Dresden, TN is about 324.2 miles (521.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 268.1 miles (431.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 06m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Wilson County, Tennessee, United States; suburb of Nashville, Tennessee
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Dresden.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Dresden.
-
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
99.6 mi · 1 hr 48 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
878 ft · 23 sec
-
14
Turn right
5.3 mi · 7 min
-
15
Continue on Lexington Clarksburg Road
1009 ft · 21 sec · Lexington Clarksburg Road
-
16
Continue straight
6.5 mi · 9 min
-
17
Turn left onto Lexington Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · Lexington Street
-
18
Turn left onto South Veterans Drive
2.1 mi · 3 min · South Veterans Drive
-
19
Take the exit slight right
659 ft · 18 sec
-
20
Merge slight left onto Veterans Drive North
1.4 mi · 2 min · Veterans Drive North
-
21
Turn left
20.3 mi · 26 min
-
22
Merge slight left onto State Highway 22
4.9 mi · 7 min · State Highway 22
-
23
Turn right onto Morrow Avenue
1.1 km · 59 sec · Morrow Avenue
-
24
Continue on Pikeview Street
2048 ft · 35 sec · Pikeview Street
-
25
Turn right onto West Main Street
787 ft · 15 sec · West Main Street
-
26
Turn right onto South Wilson Street
27 m · 2 sec · South Wilson Street
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Wilson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville and Dresden.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Knoxville and Mostly Sunny near Dresden.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knoxville to Dresden?
The road trip is about 324.2 miles (521.7 km) and usually takes 06h 06m 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?
Mount Juliet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.9 miles from Knoxville and 162.3 miles from Dresden.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 268.1 miles (431.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.1 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 EDT. 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 $43.14 one way or $86.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Knoxville and Dresden, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Knoxville and Mostly Sunny near Dresden.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Juliet
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 Mount Juliet.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Dresden. Straight-line distance: 268.12 mi (431.5 km).
#1 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dresden
Town in the U.
| Population | 2,907 |
| Coordinates | 36.2914500, -88.7081100 |
| Altitude | 130 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dresden (-88.70811, 36.29145)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 522 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.14 | $86.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.65 | $97.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.24 | $106.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.68 | $121.36 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.