Arlington, TN to Kingsport, TN is 459 miles and takes about 8h 27m via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from west to east. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward drive. Given the duration and highway miles, it's a solid candidate for a two-day trip to allow for a more relaxed pace and potential exploration along the way. Consider this route if you prefer efficient travel on well-maintained roads.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
229.5 miles from Arlington, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
388.8 mi
7h 2m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
1.4 mi
1m
Forrest Street
1.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 388.8 mi, about 7h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on Walker Street
68 ft·3 sec·Walker Street
2
Continue on Forrest Street
1.4 mi·3 min·Forrest Street
3
Continue on Hickory Withe Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Hickory Withe Road
4
Continue on SR 196
0.7 mi·1 min·SR 196
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
178 mi·3 hr 11 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight 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
With an estimated drive time of over 8 hours, splitting this trip over two days is recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to drive straight through. You'll have about 388.8 miles on I-40 before needing to consider your first major stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out on certain interstate sections. For a two-day trip, consider stopping around the halfway point or where you find convenient lodging and dining options along I-40 or I-81.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 229.5 miles from Arlington, TN, or about 4h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 388.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 101 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 229.5 miles or 4h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 229.5 miles or 4h 12m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 18m
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 Arlington, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, TN
Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Kingsport, TN
Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Arlington, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 388.8 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 181.7 and 446.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
184.9 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
358.7 mi into trip|~6h 33m 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
395.4 mi into trip|~7h 14m 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
8
446.1 mi into trip|~8h 9m 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
$69.66 one way
$139.33 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg161 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$77.83
$155.66
premium
$4.73
$85.42
$170.84
diesel
$5.99
$108.28
$216.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 160.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
137.7
1
$48.20
$22.03
Efficient EV
114.8
1
$40.16
$18.36
EV Truck/SUV
183.6
2
$64.26
$29.38
Gas CO2
161 kg
EV CO2
54 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TN
Afternoon
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Afternoon
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Livingston, TN
230 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 27m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 205.8
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 379.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 97% of the 459 miles on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 388.8 miles on I-40 before transitioning to I-81. The route concludes on South Wilcox Drive, which is a surface road, marking the end of your interstate cruising. Expect frequent exits on the interstate portions, indicating a well-trafficked corridor through the state.
97% 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: 388.8 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 181.7 miles in.
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 459 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 181.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 358.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,845 ft282 ft
Total Climb
2,019 ft
Total Descent
1,092 ft
Highest Point
1,845 ft
~296.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,563 ft
Notable High Points
1,845 ft at ~296.1 miles+766 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
The longest stretch is about 388.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 230 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 54 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 54 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 181.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 358.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kingsport, TN before the return drive.
