Tennessee isn’t very wide, but the Volunteer State is about 432 miles from west to east. Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Johnson City line I-40 and provide plenty to do for travelers. Today, we’ll look at the route from Nashville to Knoxville and give you ten places to stop during your road trip. Let’s dive in!
The direct route along I-40 from Nashville to Knoxville is about 178 miles. With no construction or heavy traffic, it should take about two hours and 45 minutes. But depending on how many stops you make, this route could be a week-long road trip. It’s important to note that Nashville is Central Time while Knoxville is Eastern Time.
Pro Tip: If you’re going to be in Nashville don’t miss out on these 5 Reasons to Avoid Lower Broadway!
This stretch of Tennessee doesn’t see harsh winters. Therefore, you can make this road trip from Nashville to Knoxville anytime. You’ll want to choose the season to visit based on what you want to do along the route. For example, spring or fall would be the best times if you want to enjoy hiking or biking in the state parks. To view the fall foliage, check out the best weeks for leaf peeping. (link to fall foliage article)
We aren’t recommending any activities in these two cities because there are too many things to list. So, our top ten best places to stop occur on the route from Nashville to Knoxville. We hope this helps you plan your Tennessee road trip along I-40.
Address: 4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, TN 37076
About: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage has a Nashville address, but it’s east of the city. Visitors can experience the former President’s life and home while exploring the beautiful, historic Tennessee farm.
You can also visit the wine tasting room, savor good ol’ southern cooking at FKS Kitchen, and learn more about the seventh President through exhibits at the museum. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: 328 Cedar Forest Road, Lebanon, TN 37090
About: The next stop on your road trip from Nashville to Knoxville should be Cedars of Lebanon State Park. It’s only about 30 minutes from Andrew Jackson’s Heritage, so you can easily make both stops in a single day.
RVers can make a reservation for a night at the campground. There are eight miles of hiking trails, and Cedars of Lebanon State Park is a great place for a picnic. You’ll likely see squirrels, deer, foxes, rabbits, and turkeys throughout the park. There are also 19 rare and endangered species of plants here that grow nowhere else in the world.
Address: 4000 Burgess Falls Drive, Sparta, TN 38583
About: If you’d rather drive a bit farther from Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, another excellent state park is Burgess Falls.
It’s about 85 minutes from Nashville. This popular state park is famous for its four waterfalls, one of which plunges more than 130 feet into the gorge. It’s important to note that the base of the falls can only be accessed by boat or kayak from the Cane Hollow Recreation Area.
You cannot hike to the base. Guests enjoy fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and bream near the dam or hiking the River Trail or Ridge Top Trail. There’s no camping at Burgess Falls State Park.
Address: 221 Tennessee Avenue, Crossville, TN 38555
About: About 50 minutes from Burgess Falls State Park is Cumberland County Playhouse. This small-town playhouse produces a dozen shows each year.
Past performances include Scrooge, Godspell, Singin’ in the Rain, and Oklahoma!l There are also yearly concert series. Tickets are sold at the door, but advance tickets are recommended.
Address: 2444 Genesis Road #103, Crossville, TN 38571
About: Another stop in Crossville from Nashville to Knoxville is the Stonehaus Winery. A visit here would be great to pair with an evening performance at the Cumberland County Playhouse.
Stonehaus wines are the only ones with statewide distribution in liquor stores and grocery stores. The winery has been serving Tennesseeans since 1991 and offers special events like Wine & Paint nights and live concerts.
Address: 24 Office Drive, Crossville, TN 38555
About: Off exit 322 of I-40 in Crossville is Cumberland Mountain State Park. This is the third state park on our list and is worth visiting because of the outdoor recreational activities. Guests enjoy paddling, biking, boating, swimming, golfing, hiking, and fishing.
There are also 145 tent and RV sites, some with electric hookups. With all of the attractions in Crossville, an overnight stop at Cumberland Mountain State Park is a convenient location from Nashville to Knoxville.
Address: 140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater, TN 37874
About: The Lost Sea Adventure is several miles off I-40 but worth a stop if you have time. You have to take I-75 south about 25 miles to reach this attraction. Because of its popularity, we highly suggest buying tickets ahead of time.
The Lost Sea Adventure includes a boat ride on America’s largest underground lake and a guided tour of the caverns. Open year-round, this adventure is family-friendly, with additional opportunities for gem mining, shopping, and walking the nature trail.
Address: 115 E Main Street, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
About: Traveling back along I-75 to I-40 will take you to exit 376. About 12 miles from I-40 is the American Museum of Science and Energy.
Exhibits at this Smithsonian affiliate include activities about magnetism, states of matter, atoms, circuits, and more. The American Museum of Science and Energy is open daily year-round, and tickets range from $3-10.
Address: 576 TN-360, Vonore, TN 37885
About: South of Knoxville is the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. Since 1986, the museum has served this region, telling the story of the Cherokees and their impact on the U.S.
Visitors can see artifacts that provide an authentic, up-close look at the Cherokee heritage. This museum focuses specifically on the Cherokee history during Sequoyah’s lifetime.
Address: 338 Fort Loudoun Road, Vonore, TN 37885
About: Finally, the final stop on your trip from Nashville to Knoxville should be Fort Loudoun State Historic Park. It’s just a mile from the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. Built in 1756, the fort was reconstructed during the Great Depression.
In 1965, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. This site is historically significant to the trade between the Cherokees and South Carolina. Besides learning about the history, guests can also enjoy paddling, hiking, and fishing.
Many people make Knoxville their home base when visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The city is about 45-50 minutes away, depending on where you enter the national park. Knoxville is a bigger city and offers a different atmosphere than other popular locations near the Smokies, like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, which are more touristy areas.
The road trip from Nashville to Knoxville can easily be completed in a day. But to enjoy the various stops along the route, we suggest taking at least two or three days. You could spend several days camping at the state parks and drive to the other locations. Don’t just take I-40 from west to east. Take in the history, scenic beauty, and recreational activities along the way!
Where will you stop on your road trip from Nashville to Knoxville?
