How far is Unicoi, TN from Knoxville, TN?

The driving distance from Unicoi, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 115.5 miles (185.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 89.2 miles (143.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
115.54 mi
01h 49m
Flight
89.22 mi
143.59 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Unicoi.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
89.22 mi
Kilometers
143.59 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
115.54 mi
Kilometers
185.94 km
Drive Time
01h 49m

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 01h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Knoxville
Thu, Apr 23, 8:51 AM EDT
Return by in Unicoi
Thu, Apr 23, 10:41 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Unicoi
2026-04-23T07:02
Arrive Knoxville
Thu, Apr 23, 8:51 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:50 AM to 11:50 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:50 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Unicoi
9:30 PM EDT
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
Bulls Gap
TN

Town in Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States

From Unicoi
57.7 mi
00h 54m
To Knoxville
57.8 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph W
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Unicoi Drive

    1.1 km · 1 min · Unicoi Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left

    1395 ft · 31 sec

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1845 ft · 45 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway

    23 mi · 27 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Knoxville

    1100 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    56.4 mi · 1 hr

  7. 7

    Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville

    1.1 km · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    31.5 mi · 34 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of Tennessee

    1323 ft · 27 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on TN 158 West, South US 441: James White Parkway, Downtown, University of Tennessee

    1.5 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Continue on James White Parkway

    1932 ft · 24 sec · James White Parkway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Neyland Drive

    769 ft · 15 sec · Neyland Drive

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue

    1204 ft · 31 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Cumberland Avenue

    1739 ft · 37 sec · Cumberland Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Henley Street

    120 m · 17 sec · Henley Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Henley Street

    78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 South
56.6 mi · 49%
I 40 West
32.2 mi · 28%
James H. Quillen Parkway
23 mi · 20%
Unicoi Drive
1.04 mi · 1%
TN 158 West
0.94 mi · 1%
James White Parkway
0.37 mi
Longest Stretch

I 81 South

Merge slight left

56.4 mi · 01h 00m

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
01h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.3 mi
89.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bulls Gap
00h 54m from Unicoi
Leave By
2:50 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Unicoi and Sunny near Knoxville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 115.5 miles (185.9 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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?

Bulls Gap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.7 miles from Unicoi and 57.8 miles from Knoxville.

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

The direct path is about 89.2 miles (143.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.3 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:50 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.39 one way or $30.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Unicoi and Sunny near Knoxville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Unicoi and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 89.22 mi (143.59 km).

Unicoi

#1 Unicoi

City in Unicoi County, Tennessee, United States of America

Population3,579
Coordinates36.1953900, -82.3495800
Altitude586
CountryUnited States
Knoxville

#2 Knoxville

The most populous city in Tennessee.

Population190,223
Coordinates35.9606400, -83.9207400
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Start: Erwin Highway (-82.349603, 36.195388)
End: US 11 (-83.920795, 35.960617)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 186 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.08 gal
15.43 L · about $15.39
Round trip
$30.77
8.16 gal · 30.86 L
Estimated CO2
36.3 kg one way
Round trip: 72.5 kg / 160 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.39 $30.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.35 $34.70
Premium $4.65 $18.99 $37.98
Diesel $5.30 $21.64 $43.28

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Unicoi and Knoxville. The current time is 07:02:05.

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.