Cookeville TN to Knoxville drive: Best stops, distance and time

Finding things to do between Cookeville TN and Knoxville

The drive from Cookeville, Tennessee, to Knoxville connects central Tennessee to the cusp of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For many travellers, this will be the second half of the drive from Nashville to Knoxville.

Attractions near Cookeville TN include Cummins Falls to the north.

Highlights of Knoxville include World’s Fair Park, which hosted the 1982 World’s Fair. The often-dazzling Sunsphere is the major landmark, here. You can also visit the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and Knoxville Museum of Art.

Other Knoxville experiences include ghost tours and downtown walking tours that pick out local secret spots, while serving up coffee and ice cream.

Top Knoxville accommodation options include the handily-located Graduate Knoxville, the affordable Hampton Inn and Suites Knoxville Downtown and the character-packed Oliver Hotel. To compare prices, search here.

Cookeville TN to Knoxville distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Cookeville TN to Knoxville is 102 miles. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and 34 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-40.

The best stops to add to a Cookeville TN to Knoxville road trip itinerary are Crossville, Ozone Falls and the Mt Roosevelt Scenic Overlook.

Best stops between Cookeville TN and Knoxville: Crossville

Tennessee’s wine scene is growing, and the Stonehaus Winery in Crossville offers a good opportunity to see what the state can do. Its wines can be found in liquor stores state-wide, but the tasting room in Crossville is the best place to try different wines from the range.

There are some single varietal wines made here, including a chardonnay and a zinfandel. But the emphasis is firmly on blends. There are a fair few sweet and semi-sweet options, too.

Cookeville TN to Knoxville road trip attractions: Ozone Falls

Ozone Falls sees Fall Creek plunges 110ft over a sandstone cliff edge into a deep, rocky and rather photogenic pool. The creek then disappears underground before reemerging.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this Tennessee waterfall is the setting, rather than the waterfall itself. Over time, a natural rock amphitheatre has been carved out by the elements.

If you fancy a walk, there’s a three quarter mile trail that starts at the bluff near the top of the falls, then heads into the gorge.

Cookeville TN to Knoxville drive: Mt Roosevelt Scenic Overlook

Mt Roosevelt is one of the highest points on the Cumberland Escarpment, and there’s a cracking photo stop that doesn’t require any hiking. The Mt Roosevelt Scenic Overlook is just to the west of Rockwood, Tennessee, and you can drive up.

Get lucky with the conditions and you can see the Smoky Mountains, more than 70 miles to the east. There are some picnic tables here if you want to stop for lunch.

World's Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee.
World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo by CanonBaby2016/ Pixabay.

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