Origin
Johnson City, TN
Morning in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson City, TN to Hartsville, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
257.7 mi
415 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 43m
★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Hartsville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Johnson City, TN to Hartsville, TN is 257.7 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I 40 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing much of Tennessee. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major interstates, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, so this is a good choice if you're looking for efficiency over winding backroads.
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
128.9 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 162.4 mi | 2h 57m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| Dixon Springs Highway | 10.6 mi | 16m |
| Gordonsville Highway | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Highway 25 East | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Upper Ferry Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 162.4 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Hartsville, TN.
1
Start on this road
433 ft
·
35 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto North Roan Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Roan Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto SR 400
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Watauga Avenue
5
Turn left onto Oak Street
441 ft
·
10 sec
·
Oak Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
7
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
9
Merge onto I 81
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
10
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
11
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
110 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward TN 53: Carthage, Gordonsville
14
Turn right onto SR 53
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Gordonsville Highway
15
Turn left onto Upper Ferry Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Upper Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
17
Continue on Dixon Springs Highway
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Dixon Springs Highway
18
Continue on TN 25
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Dixon Springs Highway
19
Continue on TN 25
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 25 East
20
Turn straight onto East Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
SR 141
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 56m estimated drive time, starting in the morning from Johnson City, TN, allows ample time to reach Hartsville, TN, before evening. With only one recommended stop and a short overall duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the $40 budget suggests efficient consumption on the interstate. A specific tip for this route: familiarize yourself with the I 40 corridor in Tennessee, as it's a significant portion of your drive and can experience variable traffic depending on the day and time.
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 128.9 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.4 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.9 miles or 2h 24m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hartsville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Johnson City, 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 Johnson City, TN
This is one driving day of about 257.7 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Johnson City, 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 162.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.9 miles from Johnson City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 125.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Buffalo Street
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Roan Street
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
15 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South: Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
5
72.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
125.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Nashville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.29 one way
$80.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $44.24 | $88.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $49.59 | $99.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.90 | $113.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.06 | $12.37 |
| Efficient EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.1 | 1 | $36.08 | $16.49 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Destination
Hartsville, TN
Morning in Hartsville on Sunday
Local time
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
129 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 56m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this journey, with 92% of the route utilizing major interstates. The bulk of your travel will be on I 40, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 162.4 miles. This means you'll experience consistent highway speeds for extended periods. While the James H. Quillen Parkway is part of the route, the overall character is one of efficient interstate travel, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Buffalo Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 257.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (Buffalo Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Johnson City, TN and Hartsville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Gordonsville.
Nashville
125.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via I 40
Gordonsville
234.6 mi in
|
~4h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 257.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m 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 162.4 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Buffalo Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Hartsville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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