This 420.9-mile journey from Gleason, TN to Johnson City, TN will take approximately 7 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. It's a solid day trip, designed for a single push, though you could easily split it if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The route is heavily focused on interstate travel, with 98% of it being highway driving, making it an efficient way to cover ground. With an estimated fuel cost of $66, it's a budget-friendly option for crossing Tennessee. You'll be traversing the Southeast region throughout this drive.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
210.4 miles from Gleason, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
309.8 mi
5h 37m
I 81
56.6 mi
1h
State Highway 22
16.9 mi
21m
James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi
16m
TN 22
12 mi
16m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi
3m
Lexington Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 309.8 mi, about 5h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gleason, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
290 ft·18 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 190
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Cedar Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 190
149 ft·4 sec·SR 190
5
Turn right onto SR 190
0.7 mi·1 min·East Union Street
6
Continue on SR 190
0.4 mi·38 sec·Gleason Newberry Store Road
7
Turn right onto TN 22
17 mi·21 min·State Highway 22
8
Continue on SR 22 Business
390 ft·9 sec·SR 22 Business
9
Turn right onto US 70A
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Drive North
10
Turn left onto SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi·3 min·SR 22 Bypass
11
Turn right onto Lexington Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Lexington Street
12
Turn right onto TN 22
6.5 mi·8 min·TN 22
13
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lexington Clarksburg Road
14
Continue on TN 22
5.4 mi·7 min·TN 22
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
16
Merge onto I 40
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi·1 hr·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 57AToward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
24
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi·16 min·James H. Quillen Parkway
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 23Toward TN 91
26
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Market Street
27
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn right
433 ft·31 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 51-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach larger towns. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 420.9 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch, 309.8 miles on I-40, is a good candidate for your first stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $66 estimated cost suggests consistent fueling will be necessary throughout this predominantly highway experience.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 210.4 miles from Gleason, TN, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 309.8 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 93 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.4 miles or 3h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 44m
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 Gleason, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gleason, TN
This is one driving day of about 420.9 miles and 7h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Gleason, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 309.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.9 and 349.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
35.9 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexing...
9
135.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
138.6 mi into trip|~2h 41m 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
312.4 mi into trip|~5h 51m 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
349.2 mi into trip|~6h 31m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.80 one way
$131.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg147 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$72.25
$144.50
premium
$4.89
$81.00
$162.00
diesel
$5.61
$92.93
$185.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
126.3
1
$44.19
$20.20
Efficient EV
105.2
1
$36.83
$16.84
EV Truck/SUV
168.4
2
$58.93
$26.94
Gas CO2
147 kg
EV CO2
49 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 15, 2026
Origin
Gleason, TN
Evening
in Gleason on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Night
in Johnson City on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
210 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
24 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
7h 51m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 159.6
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 333.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-40 and I-81, alongside State Highway 22. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 309.8 miles on I-40, meaning long periods of consistent cruising. While the profile is primarily highway, it offers a straightforward and predictable driving experience for most of its length, minimizing the need for complex navigation.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 309.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 35.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 420.9 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 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.6 miles (I 40): 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 Gleason, TN and Johnson City, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon, Huntsville, Louisville and Knoxville - among others.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad
35.9 mi in|~49m
Lexington
35.9 mi in|~49m
Huntingdon
35.9 mi in|~49m
Huntsville
135.4 mi in|~2h 36m
Louisville
138.1 mi in|~2h 40m|via I 40
Knoxville
138.1 mi in|~2h 40m|via I 40
Chattanooga
138.1 mi in|~2h 40m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 51m. Total distance: 420.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 309.8 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.6 miles (I 40): 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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Johnson City, TN before the return drive.
