How far is Knoxville, TN from Nashville, TN?
The driving distance from Knoxville, TN to Nashville, TN is about 180.4 miles (290.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.6 miles (258.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 40m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Nashville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Nashville.
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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 right to continue on Nashville
154.8 mi · 2 hr 47 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
2.1 mi · 3 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
1725 ft · 28 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
1.1 mi · 2 min · Downtown Loop
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11
Take the exit straight toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
1033 ft · 35 sec
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12
Turn straight onto James Robertson Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min · James Robertson Parkway
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13
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
39 m · 7 sec · 3rd Avenue North
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14
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
1652 ft · 43 sec · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
1260 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue North
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville and Nashville.
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 40 West
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.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Knoxville and Chance Rain Showers near Nashville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knoxville to Nashville?
The road trip is about 180.4 miles (290.3 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?
Monterey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.9 miles from Knoxville and 90.5 miles from Nashville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.6 miles (258.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 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 1:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.02 one way or $48.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Knoxville and Nashville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Knoxville and Chance Rain Showers near Nashville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Nashville. Straight-line distance: 160.57 mi (258.41 km).
#1 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Nashville
The twenty-second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Nashville metropolitan area.
| Population | 684,410 |
| Coordinates | 36.1658900, -86.7844400 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-86.784719, 36.165773)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.02 | $48.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.09 | $54.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.65 | $59.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.79 | $67.57 |
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 · Apr 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.