East Chattanooga, TN to Kingsport, TN is 201.9 miles and takes about 3h 50m via I-75, I-81, and I-40, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. Given its mostly highway profile and relatively short duration, it's a straightforward drive perfect for a single-day excursion. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, making it a practical choice for getting between these two points efficiently.
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
101 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
72.2 mi
1h 18m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
I 40
36.7 mi
40m
US 11
21.7 mi
24m
Bonny Oaks Drive
6.8 mi
12m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 72.2 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft·3 sec·North Chamberlain Avenue
2
Turn right onto SR 17
0.3 mi·40 sec·Glass Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 17
0.6 mi·1 min·Campbell Street
4
Continue on SR 17
1.8 mi·3 min·Bonny Oaks Drive
5
Continue on SR 317
5.0 mi·8 min·Bonny Oaks Drive
6
Take the ramp onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 11; US 64; SR 317
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
21 mi·23 min·US 11; US 64; SR 317
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 75
72 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 75
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
12
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
13
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
14
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
15
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
16
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
17
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
18
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
20
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
21
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
22
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
23
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
24
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
25
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 50m estimated drive time, leaving East Chattanooga in the morning will comfortably get you to Kingsport before evening. You'll have one stop scheduled, which is a good pace for a drive of this length, allowing for a brief break without significantly extending your travel time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 72.2-mile stretch on I-75, and plan your refueling stop accordingly. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your departure time slightly based on morning traffic or personal preference.
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 101 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 1h 56m 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 6m
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 East Chattanooga, 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 East Chattanooga, TN
This is one driving day of about 201.9 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from East Chattanooga, 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 75 for about 72.2 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 8.1 and 189.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.1 mi into trip|~14m in|US 11; US 64; SR 317
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
101.6 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 37m 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
188.9 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
189.1 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
$33.68 one way
$67.36 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$36.75
$73.49
premium
$5.25
$41.76
$83.51
diesel
$6.28
$49.89
$99.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.6
0
$21.20
$9.69
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
EV Truck/SUV
80.8
1
$28.27
$12.92
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Morning
in East Chattanooga on Thursday
Local time
8:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Morning
in Kingsport on Thursday
Local time
8:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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 50m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 125.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the total mileage on interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 72.2 miles on I-75 before transitioning to other major highways. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect frequent exits and merges, especially as you navigate between I-75, I-40, and I-81. The overall feel is one of consistent travel on major roadways.
92% 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: 72.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 81. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.1 miles in near US 11; US 64; SR 317.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 201.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles (US 11; US 64; SR 317): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,546 ft684 ft
Total Climb
971 ft
Total Descent
446 ft
Highest Point
1,546 ft
~187.5 mi in
Elevation Range
862 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 East Chattanooga, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 201.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.2 miles on I 75. 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 8.1 miles (US 11; US 64; SR 317): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.4 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 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Kingsport, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
