How far is Memphis, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance from Memphis, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 391.2 miles (629.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 349 miles (561.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 05h 44m.
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 Cheatham County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Memphis and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis and Knoxville.
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1
Start on Poplar Avenue
58 m · 11 sec · Poplar Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
1162 ft · 34 sec · North B. B. King Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 40 East
553 ft · 14 sec
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4
Merge slight left
12 mi · 15 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
197.9 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
1305 ft · 25 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
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8
Continue on Downtown Loop
2764 ft · 43 sec · Downtown Loop
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
173.8 mi · 3 hr 10 min
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10
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 4 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2116 ft · 28 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2403 ft · 56 sec
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13
Continue on Henley Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street
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14
Continue on Henley Street
78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Memphis and Knoxville.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
198 mi · 03h 34m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Memphis and Sunny near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Memphis to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 391.2 miles (629.5 km) and usually takes 05h 44m 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?
Pegram is a useful midpoint, sitting about 195.4 miles from Memphis and 195.8 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 349 miles (561.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.04 one way or $104.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 122.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Memphis and Knoxville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Memphis and Sunny near Knoxville.
Stop Ideas Near Pegram
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 Pegram.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Memphis and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 348.94 mi (561.57 km).
#1 Memphis
The twenty-ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Memphis metropolitan area.
| Population | 649,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.1495300, -90.0489800 |
| Altitude | 78 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
End: US 11 (-83.920795, 35.960617)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 630 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $52.04 | $104.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $58.69 | $117.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $64.23 | $128.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $73.20 | $146.39 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.