How far is Lafayette, TN from Knoxville, TN?

Fastest route

Here are some tips and suggestions for your journey from Lafayette, Tennessee (zip code: 37083) to Knoxville, Tennessee, covering a distance of approximately 159 miles (256 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 2 hours and 50 minutes. Your destination is in a different time zone.

Directions

  1. Head southwest on Public Square toward Church St.
  2. Turn left to stay on Public Square.
  3. Continue straight to stay on Public Square.
  4. Continue straight onto Red Boiling Springs Rd.
  5. Continue straight onto TN-52.
  6. Keep right to continue on TN-52 E.
  7. Turn right onto Bradford Hicks Dr.
  8. Turn right onto W Main St.
  9. Pass by Arby's (on the right in 0.3 mi).
  10. Turn left onto TN-84 S/Old Hwy 42/Rickman Rd.
  11. Turn right onto S Holly St.
  12. Turn left onto US-70N E/E Stratton Ave.
  13. Continue to follow US-70N E.
  14. Pass by Burger King (on the left in 0.4 mi).
  15. Turn left to merge onto I-40 E toward Knoxville.
  16. Follow I-40 E to US-441 S/Henley St in Knoxville. Take exit 388 from I-40 E.
  17. Take exit 388 to merge onto US-441 S/Henley St.
  18. Continue on US-441 S. Drive to Henley St.
  19. Use the right lane to merge onto US-441 S/Henley St.
  20. Turn right onto Cumberland Ave.
  21. Turn left toward Cumberland Ave/W Main St.
  22. Slight left onto Cumberland Ave/W Main St.
  23. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Henley St.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan for a comfortable journey, considering the estimated travel time of 2 hours and 50 minutes.
  • ⛽ Before starting, ensure your vehicle has enough fuel to cover the distance.
  • 🍴 Pack some snacks and drinks for the road to keep yourself refreshed.
  • 💵 Have some cash on hand for any tolls or unexpected expenses.
  • 🚧 Stay updated on traffic conditions and consider using real-time navigation apps.
  • 📱 Fully charge your phone and bring a car charger for emergencies.
  • 🕰️ Keep in mind the time zone difference at your destination to adjust your schedule accordingly.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
162.89 mi
02h 34m
Flight
123.56 mi
198.85 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lafayette.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
123.56 mi
Kilometers
198.85 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.89 mi
Kilometers
262.14 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Knoxville
Tue, May 5, 7:10 PM EDT
Return by in Lafayette
Tue, May 5, 8:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lafayette
2026-05-05T15:35
Arrive Knoxville
Tue, May 5, 6:10 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:35 AM to 1:35 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lafayette
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Monterey
TN

Town in Tennessee, United States

From Lafayette
81.1 mi
01h 17m
To Knoxville
81.8 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    6 m · 1 sec

  2. 2

    Exit the roundabout onto Public Square

    32 m · 2 sec · Public Square

  3. 3

    Continue on College Street

    2599 ft · 54 sec · College Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Hartsville Road

    11.5 mi · 17 min · Hartsville Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 25 East

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Highway 25 East

  6. 6

    Continue on Dixon Springs Highway

    10.5 mi · 16 min · Dixon Springs Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dixon Springs Highway

    894 ft · 29 sec · Dixon Springs Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Upper Ferry Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Upper Ferry Road

  10. 10

    Turn right

    4.9 mi · 8 min

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left

    1064 ft · 26 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    126 mi · 2 hr 18 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

    2116 ft · 28 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

    2403 ft · 56 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on Henley Street

    1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Henley Street

    78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Upper Ferry Road
130 mi · 80%
Hartsville Road
11.5 mi · 7%
Dixon Springs Highway
10.6 mi · 7%
Highway 25 East
3.1 mi · 2%
Convention Center
0.86 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.7 mi
Longest Stretch

Upper Ferry Road

Merge slight left

126 mi · 02h 18m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.3 mi
123.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monterey
01h 17m from Lafayette
Leave By
1:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Knoxville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 162.9 miles (262.1 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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 81.1 miles from Lafayette and 81.8 miles from Knoxville.

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

The direct path is about 123.6 miles (198.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.68 one way or $43.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lafayette and Knoxville, 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 Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Knoxville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 123.56 mi (198.85 km).

Lafayette

#1 Lafayette

Human settlement in Macon County, Tennessee, United States of America

Population5,271
Coordinates36.5211600, -86.0263700
Altitude292
CountryUnited States
Knoxville

#2 Knoxville

The most populous city in Tennessee.

Population190,223
Coordinates35.9606400, -83.9207400
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Start: Public Square (-86.026281, 36.521077)
End: US 11 (-83.920795, 35.960617)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 262 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.75 gal
21.76 L · about $21.68
Round trip
$43.37
11.5 gal · 43.52 L
Estimated CO2
51.1 kg one way
Round trip: 102.2 kg / 225 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.68 $43.37
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.45 $48.91
Premium $4.65 $26.76 $53.52
Diesel $5.30 $30.50 $61.00

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 05, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Lafayette, TN and Knoxville, TN. The current time in Lafayette is 15:35:46, although it is 16:35:46 in Knoxville.

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.