Driving Directions: Nashville, TN to Knoxville, TN

Distance: ~180 miles (290 km) | Time: ~2h 45m – 3h (no traffic)

Route: I-40 East (Direct)

1. Start Nashville. Take I-40 East (signs for Knoxville).
2. Continue ~160 miles. Pass Crossville (Cumberland Plateau).
3. Near Knoxville: Stay on I-40 (do NOT take I-640 unless bypassing downtown).
4. Exit for destination: I-40 exits 385–392 serve West Knoxville / University / Downtown.

Key Exits:

• 386B (Pellissippi Pkwy) → Oak Ridge / Maryville
• 387 (Watt Rd) → West Town Mall
• 388 (US-11/US-70) → Downtown / UT
• 389 (I-275) → North Knoxville / Fountain City

Traffic Notes:

• Mon–Fri 7–9am & 4–6pm: Knoxville I-40/I-75 merge (Sharp's Gap) congested.
• Rockslides possible Cumberland Plateau (winter/spring). Check TDOT SmartWay.

Alternative Scenic: US-70 (parallel, slower) through Crossville, Rockwood, Kingston — pretty, not faster.