Spanning 167.5 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Crossville to Kingsport typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily complete this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. The route utilizes a mix of local roads like Peavine Road and SR 93, anchored by a significant stretch on I-81 North. It serves as a straightforward connection for those moving across the state, offering a balance of efficiency and local travel.
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
82.9 miles from Crossville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
99 mi
1h 49m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
US 70
2.4 mi
4m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
1.4 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 99 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crossville, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on US 127
0.2 mi·37 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 70; SR 101
2.4 mi·4 min·US 70; SR 101
3
Enter roundabout onto Peavine Road
212 ft·3 sec·Peavine Road
4
Continue on Peavine Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Peavine Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 40
62 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
10
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
11
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
12
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
13
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
14
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
15
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
16
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
18
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
19
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
20
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
21
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
22
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
23
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop required, you can easily pace yourself to avoid fatigue during the 2-hour and 40-minute duration. Be mindful that the route relies heavily on local roads, so keep a close eye on your GPS when transitioning between Peavine Road and the highway segments. If you prefer a smoother trip, try to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the interstate portions. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is simple with the $25 budget, but ensure you fill up before hitting the more technical local stretches to maintain a stress-free journey.
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 82.9 miles from Crossville, TN, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.9 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 32m
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 Crossville, 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 Crossville, TN
This is one driving day of about 165.8 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Crossville, 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 99 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 153 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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
102.3 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
152.8 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
153 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
$25.92 one way
$51.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.46
$56.92
premium
$4.89
$31.91
$63.81
diesel
$5.61
$36.61
$73.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.7
0
$17.41
$7.96
Efficient EV
41.5
0
$14.51
$6.63
EV Truck/SUV
66.3
0
$23.21
$10.61
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Crossville, TN
Late night
in Crossville on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Morning
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
6:21 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
2 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 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as the route transitions through varied road types. You will navigate through local thoroughfares before merging onto I-81 North, requiring you to stay alert through the changing road geometry. Since the highway share is 0% in terms of pure interstate-only travel, you will experience a more hands-on driving environment. The road personality shifts from the initial local segments to the more structured interstate lanes, keeping the experience engaging behind the wheel. Prepare for a dynamic ride that demands your attention as you transition from local navigation to the faster-paced highway portions.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99 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 3 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 165.8 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 65.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.3 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 Crossville, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 165.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m 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 99 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 65.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Kingsport, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
