Spanning 307.1 miles across Tennessee, this journey from Johnson City to Kingston Springs takes approximately 5 hours and 42 minutes to complete. Because this route involves a turn-heavy local drive rather than a direct interstate sprint, you should plan for a full day of travel. Budgeting roughly $47 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip's expenses. While it is technically possible to finish the drive in a single day, the winding nature of the roads makes it a demanding experience behind the wheel. You will remain within the Southeast region for the entirety of the trip, transitioning from the eastern edge of the state toward the middle. It serves as a practical route if you prefer local roads over high-speed highway travel.
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
153.5 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
229.9 mi
4h 11m
I 81
57.1 mi
1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway
13.7 mi
16m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
West Kingston Spring
1.3 mi
3m
East Watauga Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North Roan Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Buffalo Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 229.9 mi, about 4h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Kingston Springs, 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 8AToward 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 1BToward 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
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
20 mi·21 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 188Toward SR 249: Kingston Springs, Ashland CityUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto SR 249
0.2 mi·30 sec·Luyben Hills Road
20
Turn left onto West Kingston Spring
1.3 mi·3 min·West Kingston Spring
21
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Main Street
22
Turn left
66 ft·4 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 5-hour and 42-minute drive is quite intensive, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and stay alert. You have one scheduled stop planned, which is essential for stretching your legs given the turn-heavy nature of the route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the local roads may result in different consumption patterns than standard highway driving. Since you are utilizing local streets, be prepared for varying speed limits and local traffic patterns that you wouldn't encounter on an interstate. A concrete tip for this specific journey is to double-check your navigation before leaving Johnson City, as the reliance on local roads like Buffalo Street and North Roan Street requires more frequent turns than a typical cross-state trip.
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 153.5 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 229.9 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 68 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.5 miles or 2h 51m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingston Springs, 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 307.1 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 229.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 305.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
7
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. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
279.9 mi into trip|~5h 7m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
282 mi into trip|~5h 10m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
8
305.1 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward SR 249: Kingston Springs, Ashland City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 188
Toward SR 249: Kingston Springs, Ashland City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.01 one way
$96.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$52.71
$105.43
premium
$4.89
$59.10
$118.20
diesel
$5.61
$67.80
$135.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.1
1
$32.25
$14.74
Efficient EV
76.8
0
$26.87
$12.28
EV Truck/SUV
122.8
1
$42.99
$19.65
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Johnson City, TN
Night
in Johnson City on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingston Springs, TN
Night
in Kingston Springs on Saturday
Local time
9:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Clinton, TN
154 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
23 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 42m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 264.7
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 84.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging experience as you navigate away from the interstate system. With a highway share of 0%, this route relies entirely on local roads like Buffalo Street, North Roan Street, and East Watauga Avenue. You will spend your time navigating turns rather than maintaining a steady cruise-control pace on a major highway. The personality of this drive is defined by its constant shifts in direction, requiring your full attention throughout the 307.1-mile trek. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, the journey maintains a consistent, hands-on feel that keeps you focused on the road ahead.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 229.9 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 0.4 miles in near North Roan Street.
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 20 significant decision points across 307.1 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 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.9 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 Johnson City, TN and Kingston Springs, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
125.1 mi in|~2h 20m|via I 40
Memphis
282 mi in|~5h 10m|via I 40
Louisville
283.1 mi in|~5h 12m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 307.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 229.9 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 Kingston Springs, 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 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.9 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kingston Springs, TN before the return drive.
