Crossing Tennessee from Jackson to Kingsport is a significant 404.6-mile trek that spans the entire state. You should plan for approximately 7 hours and 27 minutes of total drive time, making this a long but manageable single-day trip if you start early. With 96% of your journey spent on highways like I-40 and I-81, you will remain within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Budgeting around $61 for fuel is a smart move to keep your finances in check before you head out. While it is possible to complete this in one go, you might consider if you prefer a direct push or a more relaxed pace across the state.
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
202.3 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
331.1 mi
6h
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 331.1 mi, about 6h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
3
Turn right onto US 70
4.0 mi·6 min·Whitehall Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
121 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
13
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
14
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
15
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
16
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
17
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
18
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
19
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
21
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
22
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
23
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
24
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
25
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
26
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Since you have a nearly 7.5-hour drive ahead, departing early in the morning is the best way to avoid peak congestion and ensure you arrive in Kingsport with daylight to spare. Plan for at least two strategic stops to break up the long interstate segments and keep your energy levels high. Keep in mind that the longest uninterrupted stretch spans over 330 miles, so be proactive about refueling before your gauge gets too low. While the route is designed as a single-day trip, feel free to adjust your pace if you prefer a more leisurely journey. Specifically, monitor your progress on I-81 closely, as this final leg will lead you into the Kingsport area and onto South Wilcox Drive.
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 202.3 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 331.1 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 89 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.3 miles or 3h 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 6h 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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, TN
This is one driving day of about 404.6 miles and 7h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Jackson, 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 331.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 127.3 and 391.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
127.3 mi into trip|~2h 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
130.5 mi into trip|~2h 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
304.3 mi into trip|~5h 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
341 mi into trip|~6h 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
391.8 mi into trip|~7h 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
$63.25 one way
$126.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg142 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$69.45
$138.90
premium
$4.89
$77.86
$155.72
diesel
$5.61
$89.33
$178.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.4
1
$42.48
$19.42
Efficient EV
101.2
1
$35.40
$16.18
EV Truck/SUV
161.8
2
$56.64
$25.89
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
47 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
Jackson, TN
Evening
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Night
in Kingsport on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
202 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
22 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
7h 27m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 153.5
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 334.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by a heavy highway focus, centering your experience on the interstate system. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising, highlighted by a substantial 331.1-mile stretch along I-40 that serves as the backbone of your journey. Transitioning from I-40 to I-81 and eventually navigating onto South Wilcox Drive marks the shift as you close in on your destination. Because 96% of the route is highway-based, the drive maintains a consistent, fast-paced rhythm. Expect a straightforward experience behind the wheel that prioritizes efficiency and distance over local backroads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 331.1 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 127.3 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 17 significant decision points across 404.6 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 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 304.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jackson, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 27m. Total distance: 404.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 331.1 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 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 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 304.3 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 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.
