Spanning 200.3 miles across Tennessee, this route connects Algood to Kingsport in approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes. Since the drive is designed as a highway-focused journey, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $30 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. Navigating primarily via I-40 and I-81 before transitioning to South Wilcox Drive, you will find the journey straightforward and efficient. If you prefer a direct transit rather than a scenic detour, this path offers a reliable way to cross the state. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prioritize time and consistency over backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
100.2 miles from Algood, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
130.9 mi
2h 24m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
East Spring Street
2 mi
3m
SR 111
1.6 mi
1m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 130.9 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Algood, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue North
0.1 mi·28 sec·2nd Avenue North
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto West Main Street
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
4
Continue on East 10th Street
456 ft·17 sec·East 10th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
6
Merge onto SR 111
1.6 mi·1 min·SR 111
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
8
Turn left onto US 70N
2.0 mi·3 min·East Spring Street
9
Turn left
0.2 mi·28 sec
10
Merge onto I 40
94 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
14
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
15
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
16
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
17
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
18
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
19
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
20
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
22
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
23
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
24
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
25
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
26
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
27
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
To keep your 3-hour and 47-minute drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs during the long interstate sections. Starting your trip early in the morning can help you bypass heavy traffic patterns often found on major arteries like I-40. Since you are spending about $30 on fuel, check your tire pressure before departing to maximize your efficiency during the 130.9-mile stretch. Because this route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule without worrying about losing daylight. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep an eye on traffic reports for I-81, as congestion can occasionally impact your arrival time in Kingsport.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 100.2 miles from Algood, TN, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 44 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.2 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsport, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Algood, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Algood, TN
This is one driving day of about 200.3 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Algood, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 130.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 187.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
100 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
136.8 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
187.3 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
187.5 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.31 one way
$62.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.38
$68.76
premium
$4.89
$38.55
$77.09
diesel
$5.61
$44.22
$88.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.1
0
$21.03
$9.61
Efficient EV
50.1
0
$17.53
$8.01
EV Truck/SUV
80.1
1
$28.04
$12.82
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Algood, TN
Late night
in Algood on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 124.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 94% of your journey takes place on major highways. The road's personality is defined by its efficiency, anchored by a significant 130.9-mile stretch on I-40 that demands sustained focus. You will eventually transition onto I-81, maintaining a steady pace before concluding the final leg on South Wilcox Drive. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the environment remains consistent, minimizing the need for frequent gear shifts or technical maneuvering. While you won't encounter the winding turns of rural mountain roads, the route provides a smooth, predictable flow that allows you to cover ground quickly.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 200.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 100 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Algood, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 200.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 130.9 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kingsport, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 100 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Kingsport, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
