How far is Sweetwater, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance from Sweetwater, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 260.9 miles (419.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 210.6 miles (338.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 59m 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 03h 59m.
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.
Town in Smith County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sweetwater and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sweetwater and Knoxville.
-
1
Start on Trace Creek Road
610 ft · 27 sec · Trace Creek Road
-
2
Turn straight onto Waynesboro Highway
5.3 mi · 8 min · Waynesboro Highway
-
3
Continue on South Park Street
1.3 km · 1 min · South Park Street
-
4
Turn right onto East Main Street
2 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
-
5
Continue on Columbia Highway
13 mi · 17 min · Columbia Highway
-
6
Continue on Hampshire Pike
13.3 mi · 15 min · Hampshire Pike
-
7
Take the exit right
1140 ft · 31 sec
-
8
Keep slight right
13.9 mi · 16 min
-
9
Take the exit left
1845 ft · 45 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
12.1 mi · 13 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
1120 ft · 17 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
2889 ft · 42 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
45 mi · 48 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
1.2 km · 2 min
-
15
Merge slight left
149.1 mi · 2 hr 42 min
-
16
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 4 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2116 ft · 28 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2403 ft · 56 sec
-
19
Continue on Henley Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street
-
20
Continue on Henley Street
78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sweetwater and Knoxville.
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 East
Merge slight left
149 mi · 02h 42m
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.
Sunny leaving Sweetwater and Sunny near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sweetwater to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 260.9 miles (419.8 km) and usually takes 03h 59m 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?
Gordonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.2 miles from Sweetwater and 130.7 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 210.6 miles (338.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.69 one way or $69.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Sweetwater and Knoxville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sweetwater and Sunny near Knoxville.
Stop Ideas Near Gordonsville
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 Gordonsville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sweetwater and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 210.6 mi (338.92 km).
#1 Sweetwater
City in Tennessee
| Population | 5,956 |
| Coordinates | 35.4973000, -87.6319700 |
| Altitude | 217 |
| 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: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.69 | $69.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.13 | $78.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.82 | $85.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.80 | $97.59 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.