How Far is Knoxville from the Kentucky Border? The Ultimate Road Trip Guide for You - 33rd Square (2024)

Hey there! I‘m Lillie, your friendly home improvement and travel expert here to help you out. You‘re looking to make the drive from Knoxville up to the Kentucky border, and I‘ve got all the info you‘ll need to plan an amazing road trip. Grab your sunglasses and cue up your favorite driving tunes, because we‘re about to hit the open road!

The drive from Knoxville to where Kentucky begins is approximately 52 miles along Interstate 75. It typically takes 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic and stops. I‘ll give you the nitty gritty details on the route coming up.

First though, let‘s go over some key things you‘ll want to know for your journey:

Fun Stops and Attractions Along the Way

While Kentucky is the final destination, there‘s actually quite a few cool places in Tennessee to check out along the way. Here‘s some of my top picks:

Norris Dam State Park

Just 25 miles from Knoxville you‘ll find this gorgeous park nestled around a shimmering lake. Get out and stretch your legs on their hiking trails, visit the historic museum, or book a boat tour of the dam itself.

Big Ridge State Park

This park comes just 20 minutes before you reach Kentucky, making it a perfect last stop in Tennessee. You‘ll find wildlife, lakeside views, 20+ miles of trails, and even camping spots if you want to extend your adventure.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

This park straddles the border between Kentucky and Tennessee. It contains the historic Cumberland Gap mountain pass used by pioneers. You can hike to epic overlooks, explore frontier stone ruins, and learn all about Appalachian history.

Kingdom Come State Park

Just 16 miles over the border, this peaceful Kentucky park offers scenic vistas, hiking trails, and spots for fishing and camping.

You can find a detailed map with all these stops and more later in this guide.

Crossing Between Tennessee and Kentucky

I want to prepare you for what to expect when actually crossing from Tennessee into Kentucky:

• There will be signs letting you know the state line is coming up
• Crossing the border on I-75 is seamless, just keep driving north
• There isn‘t a formal welcome center right at the border, just a small "Welcome to Kentucky" sign
• The official welcome center is at the first exit about a mile up the road
• Remember to set your clock ahead 1 hour for Eastern Time when entering Kentucky
• The landscape will get increasingly hilly as you drive into the Appalachian Mountains

It‘s a very smooth transition between states here. But it still feels exciting to enter a new state!

Now, let‘s get into the nitty gritty details on exactly how to drive from Knoxville to Kentucky…

How Far is it From Knoxville to the Kentucky Border?

Let‘s break down the exact mileage:

• 51 miles from downtown Knoxville to where I-75 crosses into Kentucky
• 1.1 miles from the state line to the Kentucky Welcome Center
• Total Distance: 52.1 miles

So when people say it‘s "about 50 miles" from Knoxville to Kentucky, they‘re pretty much right on the money.

For most travelers, the welcome center will feel like the official entry into Kentucky. This also makes for a perfect first stop to grab maps and brochures.

How Long Does It Take to Drive From Knoxville to Kentucky?

The drive time can vary a bit depending on traffic and how often you stop, but here‘s a good estimate:

• No stops: Around 1 hour 15 minutes
• Limited stops: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Frequent stops: Upwards of 1 hour 45 minutes

I‘d recommend budgeting at least 1 hour 30 minutes so you have time to pull over at any lookouts along the way without feeling rushed.

Pro tip: Be sure to check the live traffic conditions on your route before leaving Knoxville. Tools like Google Maps can show you estimated drive times based on current traffic flow.

The Best Route From Knoxville to Kentucky

I‘m going to walk you through the most popular and scenic routes step-by-step:

Quickest Route

If you‘re just looking for the fastest way, take I-75 North the entire way:

• Get on I-75 North in Knoxville, likely via I-640 W
• Stay on I-75 North for 51 miles
• Take exit 29 for US-25W toward Williamsburg/Jellico
• Turn right onto US-25W North
• Drive 1.1 miles into Kentucky and arrive at the welcome center

You‘ll stick to the interstate the whole way, making it simple and direct.

Scenic Route

For a more scenic experience, take US-25E once you get closer to Kentucky:

• Get on I-75 North from Knoxville
• Take exit 134 for US-25E toward Cumberland Gap Tunnel
• Follow US-25E for about 20 miles through small towns and forests
• Take US-25E across the state border
• Arrive at the Kentucky Welcome Center 1.1 miles over the line

US-25E is much more intimate and passes through quaint towns, but it adds 20-30 minutes of drive time.

I‘ve included a map to help visualize these routes. And don‘t worry – there are tons of signs to guide along the way on either option!

Major Cities and Attractions Near the Knoxville-Kentucky Route

One of the best parts of road trips is discovering fun stops along your route! Here are some of the top cities and attractions near the Knoxville to Kentucky drive to help you plan:

In Tennessee

• Pigeon Forge (45 mins from Knoxville): Dollywood, main strip, Smoky Mountains
• Gatlinburg (1 hr 10 mins): Arts & crafts shops, mountain activities
• Chattanooga (2 hrs): Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City, riverfront

In Kentucky

• Middlesboro (45 mins over border): Historic downtown, Cumberland Gap
• Berea (1 hr 45 mins): Folk arts & crafts, music, shopping
• Lexington (2 hrs 20 mins): Horse farms, bourbon trails, University of Kentucky
• Louisville (3 hrs 45 mins): Muhammad Ali Center, Churchill Downs racetrack

You could even turn this into an extended road trip to hit some of these awesome destinations over a few days!

Tips For an Enjoyable Drive to Kentucky

Let me share some pro tips to make your drive smooth and memorable:

• Check traffic and weather. This will help you plan accurate drive times and dress appropriately.

• Pack snacks and drinks. Picnic goodies will make the drive more comfortable and fun!

• Make an epic playlist. From country to classics, a good soundtrack makes time fly by.

• Stop for photos. Don‘t rush – pull over at those scenic lookouts to capture some awesome shots!

• Share your ETA. Keep companions updated on your estimated arrival time.

• Get gas before leaving. There are limited stations along the route, so fill ‘er up beforehand.

• Bring layers. Mountains can be cooler. Pack layers so you can adjust.

• Watch for wildlife. Deer and crossing the roads isn‘t uncommon, especially at dusk and dawn.

And most importantly, soak up every moment on the open road! Some of my best travel memories are from impromptu stops and discoveries.

Comparing Flying vs Driving From Knoxville to Kentucky

Should you take to the highways or skies? Here‘s a quick comparison:

As you can see, driving is usually better for road trip adventures, while flying works well for short trips focused in the big cities like Louisville or Lexington.

You really can‘t go wrong either way. Just decide if you want to make the journey part of the experience or get to your destination faster.

For most travelers, having your own wheels to explore rural Kentucky and Tennessee is well worth the longer drive time. But flights can save you 5+ hours if you‘re limited on time.

Why You Should Visit Kentucky After Leaving Knoxville

I want to convince you why venturing just over the border into Kentucky is so worth it. Here‘s a taste of what Kentucky has to offer:

• Pristine Parks: Kentucky has tons of gorgeous lakes, mountains, caverns, and forests waiting to be explored.

• Frontier History: Walk in the footsteps of pioneers at historic sites like Cumberland Gap.

• Charm & Southern Hospitality: Kentucky is full of quaint small towns with down-home charm.

• Delicious Food & Drink: Fried chicken, hot browns, bourbon – Kentucky cuisine is comfort food at its finest.

• Country Music: With artists from Loretta Lynn to Chris Stapleton, Kentucky has some serious country music roots.

• Horse Farms & Racing: See majestic horses train and graze across Kentucky‘s iconic bluegrass pastures.

Whether you‘re craving outdoor adventures, historic sights, or just some good ol‘ Southern comfort food, Kentucky has it covered.

And with just about an hour‘s drive from Knoxville to the border, it makes the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or extended road trip!

Planning Your Epic Knoxville to Kentucky Road Trip

If you really want to do the route right, I highly suggest planning a 3-5 day road trip to take in the best of both Tennessee and Kentucky.

Here are my tips for planning an amazing journey:

Choose a theme. History buff? Outdoorsy type? Bourbon lover? Pick a focus for your trip.

Map your route. Plot out must-see stops and overnight locations day-by-day.

Book hotels/camping. Reserve your lodging in advance for peace of mind.

Pack properly. Bring layers, comfy shoes, chargers, snacks, etc.

Make playlists. Cue up driving tunes, podcasts and audiobooks.

Research activities. Figure out hiking trails, tours, and attractions you want to book.

Download offline maps. In case you lose service, you can still navigate.

Allow flexibility. Leave room for unexpected detours and stops!

Share your itinerary. Provide copies to any companions or family back home.

Watch the weather. Pack for diverse conditions like rain or mountain temps.

Then all that‘s left is to hit the open road for an incredible Tennessee-Kentucky adventure!

No matter how much time you have, a road trip from Knoxville up to Kentucky promises gorgeous views, fascinating history, and good old Southern hospitality.

I hope this guide gets you excited and equipped to start your engines and make your way to the Kentucky border and beyond. Drive safe and sing loud! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Your road trip buddy,
Lillie

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