I-81 Rest Area - Greene County West
0 mi from route
Trip from Johnson City, TN to Lynchburg, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 36m
Distance
278.6 mi
448 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 23m
★
6 AM
5h 36m
8 AM
6h 3m
10 AM
5h 46m
12 PM
5h 43m
3 PM
5h 47m
5 PM
6h 2m
8 PM
5h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Lynchburg, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 278.6-mile drive from Johnson City, TN to Lynchburg, TN is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 36 minutes. With a highway share of 68%, it's a focused drive that makes for a great day trip, requiring just one recommended day. You can expect a fuel cost of around $44 for this trip. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you travel across Tennessee. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two points.
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
139.3 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 98.7 mi | 1h 48m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| Sparta Highway | 29.1 mi | 42m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| Manchester Highway | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Lynchburg Highway | 9.8 mi | 14m |
| Bone Cave Parkway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Memorial Highway | 7.9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 98.7 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Lynchburg, 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
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TN 101: Crossville
14
Turn left onto SR 101
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Peavine Road
15
Enter roundabout onto US 70; SR 101
48 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 70; SR 101
16
Continue on US 70; SR 101
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 70; SR 101
17
Turn right onto US 70
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 70
26 mi
·
38 min
·
Sparta Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Bockman Way
20
Turn left onto TN 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mayberry Street
21
Continue on TN 1
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Broadway of America
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
23
Merge onto US 70S; SR 111
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Spencer Highway
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70S
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Memorial Highway
25
Continue on US 70S
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Bone Cave Parkway
26
Continue on US 70S
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Sparta Highway
27
Continue on US 70S
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Sparta Street
28
Continue on US 70S
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway
29
Continue on SR 55
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
H T Pelham Memorial Parkway
30
Continue on SR 55
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Manchester Highway
31
Merge onto SR 55
7.6 mi
·
9 min
·
McMinnville Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on SR 55
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
McArthur Street
33
Continue on SR 55
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
New Tullahoma Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on SR 55
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
New Manchester Highway
35
Continue on SR 55
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Carroll Street
36
Turn right onto US 41A; SR 55; SR 130
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
37
Turn left onto SR 55; SR 130
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Wilson Avenue
38
Continue on SR 55
9.8 mi
·
14 min
·
Lynchburg Highway
39
Turn left onto Hiles Street
77 ft
·
2 sec
·
Hiles Street
40
Arrive at destination
Hiles Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 36-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Johnson City to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 98.7 miles on I-40, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. While it's a manageable one-day trip, you have flexibility to stop if needed. A good tip is to check your fuel levels before entering the longest stretch on I-40, as services can be more spread out during those segments.
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 139.3 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.7 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 61 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 36m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lynchburg, 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 278.6 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 98.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.3 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 98.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
I-81 Jefferson County West
0 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
I-81 Rest Area - Greene County East
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 West Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 East Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Jefferson County I-40 East Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Eco Travel Plaza
1.8 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
Rest Area and Tennessee Welcome Center
2.4 mi from route
I-24 Truck Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Frank Lorino Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Morristown, Tennessee
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+14235816451
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 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
$46.32 one way
$92.64 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $50.46 | $100.91 |
| premium | $5.18 | $56.85 | $113.70 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $58.68 | $117.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.25 | $13.37 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.38 | $11.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.4 | 1 | $39.00 | $17.83 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
Johnson City, TN
Afternoon in Johnson City on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph
24% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Lynchburg, TN
Afternoon in Lynchburg on Wednesday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph
3% chance
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
5h 36m 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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 86.5
Park Closure: Abrams Falls Trail Closed
Park Closure: Seasonal road closures
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is primarily highway-focused, with 68% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of I-40, including a 98.7-mile segment without a required exit, allowing for steady progress. While much of the journey involves interstate travel, the inclusion of Sparta Highway suggests a transition to more local roads as you approach your destination. This mix offers a balance between covering distance efficiently and experiencing a change of scenery.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.7 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 0.1 miles in near Buffalo Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 278.6 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,814 ft
804 ft
Total Climb
1,158 ft
Total Descent
1,982 ft
Highest Point
1,814 ft
~179.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,010 ft
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.
On the drive from Johnson City, TN to Lynchburg, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
125.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via I 40
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Philosopher's House
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Johnson City, TN
Cuisine: tea;pastry
Visit websiteBlue's Brews Co. Brew Garden
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Johnson City, TN
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-20:00; Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa 08...
The Moon Coffee and Tea House
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Johnson City, TN
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 08:00-17:00
Open Doors Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Crew Brew Coffeehouse
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Johnson City, TN
BURG’r & BARREL
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Johnson City, TN
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteBar-b-que Caboose Cafe
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Lynchburg, TN
Cuisine: barbecue
Visit websiteWhite Duck Taco Shop
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Johnson City, TN
Cuisine: mexican;taco
Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-21:00
Visit websiteSouthern Craft BBQ
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Johnson City, TN
Cuisine: barbecue
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteThe Black Olive
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Johnson City, TN
Cuisine: italian
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-23:00; Su...
Visit websiteTwisted Fork
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Johnson City, TN
Cuisine: noodle
Hours: We-Th,Su 11:30-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:00
Visit websiteDowntown Square Breezeway
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Johnson City Sign
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Tannery Knobs Bike Park
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Johnson City, TN
Visit websiteMemorial Park
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
D R Beeson Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Rutain Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Jack Daniel
Monument
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Carillion
Monument
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Johnson City - Washington County, TN Veterans' Memorial
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Tipton Cemetery
Monument
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Junaluska
Artwork
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Mountaintop RV Resort
Caravan_site
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
rockwood, TN
Visit websiteHampton Inn
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Johnson City, TN
Visit websiteSuper 8
Motel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Morristown, TN
Visit websiteStaybridge Suites
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Johnson City, TN
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Johnson City, TN
Full guide →Founded 1856
Johnson City is a city in Eastern Tennessee. With a population of 71,000 in 2020, the city is the 8th largest in the state.
Top landmarks
- • Mountain Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers — old soldiers' home opened in 1904 in Mountain Home, Johnson City, Tennessee
Arriving in Lynchburg, TN
Full guide →Founded 1841
Lynchburg is a small community in Tennessee. It is contained within Moore County, with which it forms a consolidated government.
Top landmarks
- • Moore County Courthouse and Jail — courthouse in Tennessee, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 278.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.7 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Lynchburg, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lynchburg, TN before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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