About this Location

Facility Overview

The 1551 Cracker Barrel Lane Parking facility is a spacious, open-air surface parking lot situated directly off Interstate 40 at Exit 398 (Strawberry Plains Pike) in East Knoxville, Tennessee. Serving visitors to the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and the surrounding hospitality corridor, this lot features a level, well-paved asphalt layout designed to handle high volumes of interstate travelers and local diners. Because the facility is an outdoor surface lot without vertical clearance barriers or low-hanging overhead decks, it effortlessly accommodates standard passenger cars, minivans, full-size SUVs, lifted pickup trucks, high-roof conversion vans, and commercial service vehicles. In addition, the lot provides designated oversized parking lanes at the rear and perimeter, tailored specifically to accommodate RVs, motorhomes, travel trailers, and tour buses.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in Knoxville\'s vibrant Strawberry Plains commercial gateway, this parking destination offers direct, pedestrian-friendly access to a variety of hospitality and travel services:

Dining & Retail: Steps away from the on-site Cracker Barrel Old Country Store & Restaurant, and within a 2 to 5-minute walk of regional dining favorites including Waffle House, McDonald\'s, and local diner options.
Hotels & Lodging: Direct walking proximity to numerous hospitality properties, including the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Knoxville-Strawberry Plains, Hampton Inn Knoxville-East, Comfort Suites East, and Fairfield Inn & Suites (all within 300 to 800 feet).
Travel Plazas & Fuel Stops: Just across Strawberry Plains Pike from the Pilot Travel Center and neighboring fueling plazas, offering truck service and convenience stores.
East Knoxville & Downtown Access: Located only 10 to 12 miles east of Downtown Knoxville, Market Square, the Knoxville Convention Center, and the University of Tennessee\'s Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena via a direct westbound drive on I-40.
Smoky Mountains Gateway: Positioned conveniently along the scenic northern corridor heading toward Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park via TN-66.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via Cracker Barrel Lane, which feeds directly onto Strawberry Plains Pike (State Route 168/274) immediately adjacent to Interstate 40 (Exit 398). Multiple curb cuts ensure smooth vehicle circulation and reduce bottlenecking during peak morning breakfast hours, weekend lunch surges, and evening travel peaks. While public transit options in this outer suburban corridor are limited compared to central Knoxville, regional road connectivity is unmatched: drivers can immediately merge onto I-40 East toward Asheville or I-40 West toward Downtown Knoxville and the I-75 junction.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Spacious open-air surface parking with clearly demarcated directional lanes and parking stalls.
Zero height restrictions, allowing clearance for lifted trucks, roof-box-equipped SUVs, and commercial vans.
Dedicated extra-long stalls designed to accommodate RVs, camper trailers, and motor coaches.
Designated ADA-accessible parking spaces located immediately adjacent to the main building entrance with curb-cut access.
Consistent commercial exterior pole lighting across stalls and access lanes for evening and early morning visibility.
On-site waste receptacles and nearby pedestrian crosswalks connecting to adjacent lodging properties.

Ideal For

Interstate 40 road-trippers and highway travelers seeking a comfortable and convenient rest or dining stop.
RV owners and campers looking for easy pull-through parking while visiting East Knoxville.
Guests staying at neighboring hotels seeking daytime parking or overflow vehicle spaces.
Tour groups and motorcoach travelers navigating between Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Drivers operating recreational vehicles, campers, or trailers should follow directional signage around the perimeter to access the elongated pull-through stalls located on the outer edge of the property. During peak holiday travel periods and Sunday brunch hours (typically 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM), standard vehicle spaces can fill quickly; arriving slightly outside peak dining windows will ensure your choice of stall close to the entrance. If you are meeting travel groups or carpooling, ensure your vehicle is parked in designated bays without obstructing through-traffic aisles or loading zones.