Origin
Johnson City, TN
Late night in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson City, TN to LaFollette, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
130.2 mi
210 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
LaFollette, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Johnson City to LaFollette, expect a 130.2-mile journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes to complete. Because this route stays within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you won't encounter major geographic shifts, but you will experience a distinct change in pace compared to interstate travel. With a total estimated fuel cost of $20, this trip is very affordable for a single-day excursion. You should plan on one stop to break up the drive comfortably. Since the entire journey is under three hours, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.1 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian Highway | 40.8 mi | 47m |
| West Stone Drive | 23.2 mi | 28m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| West Main Street | 16.1 mi | 19m |
| General Carl W Stiner Highway | 10 mi | 11m |
| US 25E | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| Rogersville Bypass | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Cumberland Gap Parkway | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Appalachian Highway
— 40.8 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and LaFollette, 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
22 mi
·
25 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 11W
9
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft
·
13 sec
Toward US 11W South
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 11W
23 mi
·
28 min
·
West Stone Drive
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Rogersville Bypass
12
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
16 mi
·
19 min
·
West Main Street
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11W; SR 1
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 11W; SR 1
14
Merge onto US 11W; US 25E; SR 1; SR 32; ADHS S
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Appalachian Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 25E; SR 32; ADHS S
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Appalachian Highway
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 25E; SR 32
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
US 25E; SR 32
17
Continue on US 25E; SR 32
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cumberland Gap Parkway
18
Continue on US 25E; SR 32; SR 63
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Cumberland Gap Highway
19
Turn left onto SR 63
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Appalachian Highway
20
Continue on SR 63
10 mi
·
11 min
·
General Carl W Stiner Highway
21
Continue on SR 63
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Central Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
SR 63
Trip Plan
Because this route is entirely local, your travel time can fluctuate based on traffic patterns and local congestion, so try to depart during off-peak hours to keep your transit time near the 2-hour and 37-minute mark. Since you have a budget of $20 for fuel, fill up before you leave Johnson City to avoid hunting for pumps on unfamiliar local roads. While one stop is recommended, the lack of highway stretches means you have plenty of flexibility to pull over whenever you need a breather. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the reliance on streets like East Watauga Avenue means you will be making frequent turns rather than following a single highway marker. Use the short duration to your advantage by keeping a flexible schedule for your one planned stop.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.1 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.8 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 29 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.1 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near LaFollette, 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 130.2 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 Appalachian Highway for about 40.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.1 miles from Johnson City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 23.5 — 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.
4
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
SR 400 / East Watauga Avenue
Turn right onto SR 400 / East Watauga Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
23.4 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11W South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11W South
5
23.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
US 11W / West Stone Drive
Merge onto US 11W / West Stone Drive
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.36 one way
$40.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.35 | $44.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.06 | $50.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.75 | $57.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.67 | $6.25 |
| Efficient EV | 32.6 | 0 | $11.39 | $5.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.23 | $8.33 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
LaFollette, TN
Late night in LaFollette on Sunday
Local time
4:06 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 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
2h 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 98.8
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
Park Closure: Bartlett Park Restrooms Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate cruise, this route relies entirely on surface roads like Buffalo Street, North Roan Street, and East Watauga Avenue, resulting in a 0% highway share. Navigating these local roads provides a different experience than standard high-speed transit, as the path winds through the landscape rather than cutting straight across it. You will find that the road's personality is technical and engaging, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns. It is a drive that rewards those who enjoy maneuvering through local terrain rather than just clocking miles on a wide-open expressway.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.8 mi on Appalachian Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Buffalo Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 130.2 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 0.1 miles (Buffalo Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (SR 400 / East Watauga Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 130.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.8 miles on Appalachian Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 LaFollette, 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 0.1 miles (Buffalo Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (SR 400 / East Watauga Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at LaFollette, TN before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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