Road Trips from Johnson City, TN
Johnson City is a solid launchpad for road trips, whether you're looking for a quick half-day excursion or a longer haul. You've got options ranging from short, highway-focused jaunts to destinations over five hours away that still stick mostly to the highway. Several routes offer access to national parks, making it easy to incorporate some nature into your drive. This mix means you can tailor your trip based on how much time you have and what kind of scenery you prefer.
Total Routes
30
Shortest
0.5h
With Parks Nearby
28
Under 2 hours
Kingsport, TN
32m23.2 mi one way
This is your quickest option, a 0.5-hour drive to Kingsport. It's a straightforward, highway-focused route, perfect if you just need a short change of scenery without a long commitment.
Seymour, TN
1h 58m99.7 mi one way
A 2-hour drive that mostly uses highways, this route gets you within reach of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a good balance if you want a bit more driving than Kingsport but still want to be back the same day.
Full-day getaway
LaFollette, TN
2h 37m130.2 mi one way
This 2.6-hour drive stands out with its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile and a drive score of 9, suggesting a more engaging route than the pure highway options. It also offers access to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
Pikeville, TN
3h 55m201.2 mi one way
This 3.9-hour trip is mostly highway and brings you close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a longer day trip, offering more substantial driving time and park proximity.
Graysville, TN
3h 38m190.4 mi one way
A 3.6-hour highway-focused drive, this route is notable for its high drive score of 9, indicating a potentially more dynamic road experience compared to other highway options of similar length. It does not feature nearby parks.
Union, TN
3h 52m200.6 mi one way
This 3.9-hour drive is mostly highway and provides access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a longer option for a day trip if park access is a priority.
Weekend trip
22 total in this range
Lynchburg, TN
5h 36m278.6 mi one way
Clocking in at 5.6 hours, this mostly highway route is one of your longest day trip options and offers access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a significant drive for a single day.
Shelbyville, TN
5h 39m283.4 mi one way
A 5.7-hour highway-focused drive, this route is one of the longest options and includes access to both Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a substantial commitment for a day trip.
Sewanee, TN
5h 4m266.6 mi one way
This 5.1-hour highway-focused drive is a considerable trip, offering access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a long haul, best suited if you plan a full day of driving and exploration.
Lafayette, TN
4h 7m221.1 mi one way
At 4.1 hours, this mostly highway drive offers access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a longer option that balances drive time with potential park visits.
Medina, TN
7h 40m411.7 mi one way
Long-haul ideas
Browse by Mood
LaFollette, TN
2h 37m130.2 mi one way
Lynchburg, TN
5h 36m278.6 mi one way
Shelbyville, TN
5h 39m283.4 mi one way
Sewanee, TN
5h 4m266.6 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers a great time to explore routes with park access like Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as the terrain awakens.
Summer
The longer daylight hours in summer make the longer highway drives to places like Lynchburg or Shelbyville more feasible for day trips.
Fall
Autumn brings potential for scenic drives, especially on routes like the 'Turn-heavy local drive' to LaFollette, with access to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
Winter
Winter road conditions should be considered, especially for the longer drives. Highway-focused routes may be more predictable, but park access could be limited.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Johnson City, TN city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.