Spanning 292.8 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Franklin to Kingsport typically takes about 5 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. Because the route is straightforward and entirely within the Southeast, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip for most drivers. You should budget approximately $44 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Since the drive is highway-focused, you will spend the majority of your time on major interstates, making it an efficient way to cross the state. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this trip provides a reliable connection between these two regions without requiring an overnight stay.
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
146.4 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
208 mi
3h 47m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
I 65
14.1 mi
15m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Murfreesboro Road
2.4 mi
3m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 208 mi, about 3h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on US 31 Business; TN 96
418 ft·7 sec·Public Square
2
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on SR 96
2.4 mi·3 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 80Toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 440
2.0 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 24 West: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 24
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 24
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 52BToward I 40 East: KnoxvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
171 mi·3 hr 6 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
17
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
18
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
19
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
20
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
21
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
22
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
23
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
25
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
26
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
27
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
28
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
29
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
30
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 26-minute duration, planning for at least one stop is essential to keep you alert and refreshed. Since you will be spending nearly the entire trip on major interstates, prioritize fueling up at major junctions where services are most reliable. Leaving early in the day is the best way to avoid peak traffic congestion often found near major Tennessee urban centers. Use your one planned stop to break up that long 208-mile stretch on I-40, as this will prevent fatigue during the most intense portion of the drive. The flexibility of this route allows you to adjust your departure time easily, but keeping a steady pace will ensure you arrive in Kingsport before nightfall.
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 146.4 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.4 miles or 2h 42m 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 25m
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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, TN
This is one driving day of about 292.8 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Franklin, 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 208 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.5 and 280 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.5 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
8
19.9 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville
8
20.4 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxvil...
8
21 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52B
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
8
280 mi into trip|~5h 8m 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
$45.78 one way
$91.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.26
$100.52
premium
$4.89
$56.35
$112.69
diesel
$5.61
$64.65
$129.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.74
$14.05
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.62
$11.71
EV Truck/SUV
117.1
1
$40.99
$18.74
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Franklin, TN
Late night
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
2:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
146 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
33 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
5h 26m 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.
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 40.4
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 212
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 95% of this route consists of highway driving. You will rely primarily on I-65, I-40, and I-81 to navigate your way toward Kingsport. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 208-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the backbone of your drive. Because this is a highway-focused profile, you should be prepared for a consistent pace rather than technical winding roads. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed and efficiency over secondary scenic routes.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 208 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 17.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 292.8 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 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville.
There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 292.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 208 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 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
