This 287.3-mile drive from Johnson City, TN to Oak Hill, TN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 17 minutes. With 98% of the route on major highways, it's an efficient way to travel within the Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost is around $45, making it a budget-friendly option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-40 and I-81, with a short section on James H. Quillen Parkway. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
143.6 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
207.6 mi
3h 45m
I 81
57.1 mi
1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway
13.7 mi
16m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.1 mi
2m
I 65
1.5 mi
1m
Battery Lane
0.6 mi
1m
Harding Place
0.4 mi
<1m
East Watauga Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 207.6 mi, about 3h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Oak Hill, 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 left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 213AToward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: Memphis
15
Continue on I 440
2.1 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 5Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
18
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·57 sec·this road
Exit 5Toward 65: Huntsville
19
Merge onto I 65
1.5 mi·1 min·I 65
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 78A-BToward SR 255: Harding PlaceUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 78BToward SR 255 West: Harding PlaceUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto TN 255
0.4 mi·39 sec·Harding Place
23
Continue on Battery Lane
0.6 mi·1 min·Battery Lane
24
Turn left onto Dustin Lane
111 ft·4 sec·Dustin Lane
25
Arrive at destination
Dustin Lane
Trip Plan
To maximize your travel time, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you navigate the interstate sections. With a total duration of just over 5 hours, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day adventure. Plan for one stop to refuel and stretch your legs, perhaps midway through the longest 207.6-mile stretch on I-40, to break up the drive. The $45 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always monitor your gauge, especially during the longer highway segments. Keep an eye out for the transition onto James H. Quillen Parkway as a notable point on this otherwise interstate-heavy route.
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 143.6 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.6 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 63 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 miles or 2h 40m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Hill, 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 287.3 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 207.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 286 — 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
7
279.9 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...
8
283.3 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
8
286 mi into trip|~5h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 255 West: Harding Place
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 255 West: Harding Place
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.92 one way
$89.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.32
$98.63
premium
$4.89
$55.29
$110.58
diesel
$5.61
$63.43
$126.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.2
1
$30.17
$13.79
Efficient EV
71.8
0
$25.14
$11.49
EV Truck/SUV
114.9
1
$40.22
$18.39
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Morning
in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oak Hill, TN
Late night
in Oak Hill on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
144 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
24 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 17m 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 267.5
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
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 89.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of your travel occurring on major interstates like I-40 and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 207.6 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While mostly interstate, the inclusion of James H. Quillen Parkway offers a slight variation before you rejoin the main highways. The drive maintains a consistent pace, ideal for covering distance efficiently.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 207.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 287.3 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: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Johnson City, TN to Oak Hill, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
125.1 mi in|~2h 20m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 287.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m 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 207.6 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 Oak Hill, 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: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oak Hill, TN before the return drive.
