Spanning 248.2 miles across the heart of Tennessee, this drive from Altamont to Johnson City typically takes about 4 hours and 59 minutes. Because the route is highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day, making it an efficient way to cross the state. Expect to spend approximately $38 on fuel for the trip. You will travel entirely within the Southeast region, transitioning from the plateau area near Altamont toward the mountainous terrain of the northeast. This trek is straightforward and practical, serving as a reliable transit route rather than a leisurely backroads tour. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the predictable nature of this connection allows for easy scheduling.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.1 miles from Altamont, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
73.3 mi
1h 21m
I 81
56.6 mi
1h
US 27
41.9 mi
52m
James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi
16m
SR 111
11.5 mi
13m
TN 8
8.4 mi
11m
SR 108
7.2 mi
10m
Roane State Highway
5.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 73.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altamont, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Cumberland Street
526 ft·24 sec·Cumberland Street
2
Turn left onto SR 56
4.6 mi·6 min·Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 108
7.2 mi·10 min·SR 108
4
Turn left onto SR 399
5.3 mi·9 min·Barkertown Road
5
Continue on SR 399
3.8 mi·6 min·Artillery Road
6
Continue on SR 399
1.6 mi·2 min·Rifle Range Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto TN 8; TN 111
8.4 mi·11 min·TN 8; TN 111
8
Continue on SR 111
11 mi·13 min·SR 111
9
Continue on TN 111
5.3 mi·6 min·TN 111
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto US 27
42 mi·52 min·US 27
12
Merge onto US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·Spring City Highway
13
Continue on US 27; US 70
2.7 mi·3 min·South Gateway Avenue
14
Continue on US 27; US 70
5.4 mi·6 min·Roane State Highway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
16
Merge onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi·1 hr·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 57AToward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
20
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi·16 min·James H. Quillen Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 23Toward TN 91
22
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Market Street
23
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Turn right
433 ft·31 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 59-minute transit, aim to leave early in the morning to avoid potential congestion on the busier stretches of I-40. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you only need to plan for one strategic stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keeping your budget around $38 for gas is a safe bet, though it is wise to monitor your fuel levels before merging onto the longer interstate segments. Given the high highway percentage, prioritize checking for active road construction on I-81 before you depart. Being proactive with your timing ensures that the 248.2-mile journey remains a smooth and stress-free transition between these two Tennessee cities.
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 124.1 miles from Altamont, TN, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 55 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.1 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson City, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altamont, 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 Altamont, TN
This is one driving day of about 248.2 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Altamont, 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 73.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 103.2 and 247.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
139.8 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
176.5 mi into trip|~3h 39m 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
233.1 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, As...
5
247.5 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward TN 91
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.80 one way
$77.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.60
$85.21
premium
$4.89
$47.76
$95.53
diesel
$5.61
$54.80
$109.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.5
0
$26.06
$11.91
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.72
$9.93
EV Truck/SUV
99.3
1
$34.75
$15.88
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Altamont, TN
Night
in Altamont on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Night
in Johnson City on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
124 mi in
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
27 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
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 162.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 88% of this trip taking place on major highways, you should prepare for a consistent, fast-paced experience behind the wheel. You will navigate a mix of US 27, I-40, and I-81, which keeps the flow of traffic moving steadily throughout the duration. The longest uninterrupted segment you will encounter is a 73.3-mile stretch on I-40, requiring you to stay alert during long periods of interstate driving. As you progress from the southern portion of the state toward Johnson City, the character of the road remains centered on high-speed efficiency. It is a functional drive designed for those who prioritize arriving at their destination quickly while maintaining a steady cruising rhythm.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 103.2 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 248.2 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 103.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,911 ft774 ft
Total Climb
1,026 ft
Total Descent
1,254 ft
Highest Point
1,911 ft
~17.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,137 ft
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 Altamont, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
233.1 mi in|~4h 40m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 248.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.3 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 Johnson City, 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 103.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.5 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Johnson City, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
