Spanning 231.4 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Jasper to Kingsport is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 23 minutes. Because the route is compact and well-connected by major interstates, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $35 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers moving between the southeastern parts of the state. Since 94% of your travel occurs on highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising at consistent speeds. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this route provides a reliable and efficient connection between your two destinations.
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
115.7 miles from Jasper, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
99.2 mi
1h 49m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
I 40
36.7 mi
40m
I 24
26.3 mi
31m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Main Street
3.8 mi
5m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jasper, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on US 41
86 ft·8 sec·Betsy Pack Drive
2
Turn left onto US 41; US 64; US 72
3.8 mi·5 min·Main Street
3
Turn right onto TN 27
0.6 mi·58 sec·R A Griffith Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
5
Merge onto I 24
26 mi·31 min·I 24
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
11
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
12
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
13
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
14
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
15
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
16
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
17
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
19
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
20
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
21
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
22
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
23
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
24
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 23-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route relies heavily on major interstates, keep a close eye on traffic reports for I-75 and I-81, as congestion in these corridors can easily add time to your trip. Departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid peak rush-hour delays near larger urban hubs along the path. Because the drive is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected road work. A practical tip for this specific route is to calculate your fuel stops around the 100-mile mark, as this aligns well with the transition between the longest interstate stretches.
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 115.7 miles from Jasper, TN, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.7 miles or 2h 12m 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 34m
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 Jasper, 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 Jasper, TN
This is one driving day of about 231.4 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Jasper, 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 99.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 31 and 218.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
31 mi into trip|~38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
6
131.1 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
167.8 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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
218.4 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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
218.6 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
$36.18 one way
$72.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.72
$79.44
premium
$4.89
$44.53
$89.06
diesel
$5.61
$51.09
$102.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.30
$11.11
Efficient EV
57.9
0
$20.25
$9.26
EV Truck/SUV
92.6
1
$32.40
$14.81
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Jasper, TN
Late night
in Jasper on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
3:48 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
31 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
4h 23m 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.
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 151.6
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 reliance on major interstate systems, specifically I-75, I-40, and I-81. With a 94% highway share, you should prepare for a high-speed, interstate-focused experience rather than a slow-paced secondary road tour. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 99.2-mile run on I-75, which demands steady focus as you navigate the flow of highway traffic. Because the route is almost entirely interstate-based, the drive maintains a consistent, predictable rhythm from start to finish. You will find that the transitions between these three major arteries are the most significant changes you face while behind the wheel.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31 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 16 significant decision points across 231.4 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 31 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.8 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 Jasper, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 231.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m 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 99.2 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 31 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.8 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Kingsport, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
