How far is Rutherford, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance from Rutherford, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 334.8 miles (538.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 283.2 miles (455.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 43m 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 21m.
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.
Human settlement in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rutherford and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rutherford and Knoxville.
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1
Start on East Main Street
32 m · 7 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South Trenton Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · South Trenton Street
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3
Continue on North Main Street
3135 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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4
Turn right
903 ft · 18 sec
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5
Turn left
20.1 mi · 23 min
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6
Turn left
14.6 mi · 19 min
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7
Take the exit slight left
1480 ft · 39 sec
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8
Merge slight left
126.9 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
1305 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
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11
Continue on Downtown Loop
2764 ft · 43 sec · Downtown Loop
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12
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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13
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 4 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2116 ft · 28 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2403 ft · 56 sec
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16
Continue on Henley Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street
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17
Continue on Henley Street
78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rutherford 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 right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
174 mi · 03h 10m
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 Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rutherford and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rutherford to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 334.8 miles (538.8 km) and usually takes 05h 21m 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?
Berry Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.7 miles from Rutherford and 162.1 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 283.2 miles (455.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.6 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 6:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.54 one way or $89.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 105 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Rutherford and Knoxville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rutherford and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Knoxville.
Stop Ideas Near Berry Hill
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 Berry Hill.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rutherford and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 283.18 mi (455.73 km).
#1 Rutherford
County in Tennessee, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 36.1275700, -88.9859000 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| 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: 539 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.54 | $89.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $50.23 | $100.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.96 | $109.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $62.64 | $125.28 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.