How far is Knoxville, TN from Shelbyville, TN?

The driving distance from Knoxville, TN to Shelbyville, TN is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.2 miles (235.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.43 mi
03h 43m
Flight
146.21 mi
235.31 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Knoxville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.21 mi
Kilometers
235.31 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.43 mi
Kilometers
287.15 km
Drive Time
03h 43m

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 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Shelbyville
Fri, Apr 17, 9:24 PM CDT
Return by in Knoxville
Sat, Apr 18, 2:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Knoxville
2026-04-17T18:41
Arrive Shelbyville
Fri, Apr 17, 10:24 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:43 AM to 10:43 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:34 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Knoxville
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Sparta
TN

City in and county seat of White County, Tennessee, United States

From Knoxville
89.1 mi
01h 51m
To Shelbyville
89.3 mi
01h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW
Destination
87°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Shelbyville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Shelbyville.

  1. 1

    Start on Henley Street

    1056 ft · 20 sec · Henley Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Henley Street

    727 ft · 14 sec · Henley Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight left onto Western Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Western Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Ailor Avenue

    2326 ft · 43 sec · Ailor Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West, I 75 South

    1637 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    18.3 mi · 21 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

    45.9 mi · 49 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward TN 101: Crossville

    1130 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Peavine Road

    2327 ft · 41 sec · Peavine Road

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    15 m · 1 sec

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout

    2.5 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · West Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Sparta Highway

    25.9 mi · 39 min · Sparta Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on West Bockman Way

    1.3 km · 1 min · West Bockman Way

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Mayberry Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Mayberry Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Broadway of America

    607 ft · 14 sec · Broadway of America

  17. 17

    Take the ramp left

    1536 ft · 42 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Spencer Highway

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Spencer Highway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Memorial Highway

    7.9 mi · 9 min · Memorial Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on Bone Cave Parkway

    9.4 mi · 11 min · Bone Cave Parkway

  21. 21

    Continue on Sparta Highway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Sparta Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Sparta Street

    2688 ft · 37 sec · Sparta Street

  23. 23

    Continue on Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway

    3.8 mi · 5 min · Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway

  24. 24

    Continue on H T Pelham Memorial Parkway

    3.7 mi · 4 min · H T Pelham Memorial Parkway

  25. 25

    Continue on Manchester Highway

    11.7 mi · 13 min · Manchester Highway

  26. 26

    Merge slight left onto McMinnville Highway

    7.6 mi · 10 min · McMinnville Highway

  27. 27

    Continue on McArthur Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · McArthur Street

  28. 28

    Continue on New Tullahoma Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · New Tullahoma Highway

  29. 29

    Continue on New Manchester Highway

    3.4 mi · 5 min · New Manchester Highway

  30. 30

    Continue on East Carroll Street

    2.7 mi · 3 min · East Carroll Street

  31. 31

    Turn right onto South Jackson Street

    14.5 mi · 17 min · South Jackson Street

  32. 32

    Turn left

    3.5 mi · 6 min

  33. 33

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Public Square East

    105 m · 21 sec · Public Square East

  34. 34

    Continue on Public Square North

    31 m · 5 sec · Public Square North

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Public Square North

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville and Shelbyville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
35 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nashville
45.9 mi · 26%
Sparta Highway
29.1 mi · 16%
I 40 West
18.6 mi · 10%
South Jackson Street
14.5 mi · 8%
Manchester Highway
11.7 mi · 7%
Bone Cave Parkway
9.43 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Nashville

Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

45.9 mi · 00h 49m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 43m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.3 mi
146.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sparta
01h 51m from Knoxville
Leave By
9:34 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Knoxville and Mostly Sunny near Shelbyville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Knoxville to Shelbyville?

The road trip is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?

Sparta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.1 miles from Knoxville and 89.3 miles from Shelbyville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 146.2 miles (235.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 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 9:34 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Knoxville and Shelbyville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Knoxville and Mostly Sunny near Shelbyville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Shelbyville. Straight-line distance: 146.21 mi (235.31 km).

Knoxville

#1 Knoxville

The most populous city in Tennessee.

Population190,223
Coordinates35.9606400, -83.9207400
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Shelbyville

#2 Shelbyville

City in Indiana

Population22,326
Coordinates35.4834100, -86.4602700
Altitude230
CountryUnited States
Start: Knoxville (-83.92074, 35.96064)
End: Shelbyville (-86.46027, 35.48341)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.3 gal
23.83 L · about $23.76
Round trip
$47.51
12.6 gal · 47.66 L
Estimated CO2
56 kg one way
Round trip: 112 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.76 $47.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.79 $53.59
Premium $4.65 $29.32 $58.64
Diesel $5.30 $33.42 $66.83

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 17, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Knoxville, TN and Shelbyville, TN. The current time in Knoxville is 18:41:42, although it is 17:41:42 in Shelbyville.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.