I-81 Rest Area - Greene County West
0 mi from route
Trip from Johnson City, TN to Red Bank, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
214.8 mi
346 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
29 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 54m
★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Red Bank, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Johnson City to Red Bank is 214.8 miles and takes about 4 hours 7 minutes via I-81, I-40, and I-75, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option for a quick transit between these two cities.
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
107.4 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 77.1 mi | 1h 23m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 40 | 52.8 mi | 59m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| TN 153 | 4 mi | 5m |
| Bonny Oaks Drive | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Ashland Terrace | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Hixson Pike | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 77.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Red Bank, 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 left at fork onto I 75
77 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
13
Take the exit onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 11; US 64; SR 317
Toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee Highway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
US 11; US 64; SR 317
15
Continue on TN 317
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Bonny Oaks Drive
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward TN 153 North
17
Merge onto TN 153
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
TN 153
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto Hamill Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hamill Road
19
At end of road, turn left onto Hixson Pike
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hixson Pike
20
Turn right onto Ashland Terrace
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Ashland Terrace
21
Turn left onto Dayton Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Dayton Boulevard
22
Turn right onto Euclid Avenue West
88 ft
·
3 sec
·
Euclid Avenue West
23
Arrive at destination
Euclid Avenue West
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, leaving Johnson City in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Red Bank with plenty of daylight. You'll only need one stop, so plan it strategically for a break or fuel refill. The longest stretch without an exit is over 77 miles on I-75, so make sure you have enough fuel before entering that segment. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility; consider departing a bit later if it suits your schedule better. Keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to urban areas, especially around Chattanooga.
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 107.4 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 2h 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Bank, 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 214.8 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 75 for about 77.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.4 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.1 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
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
McMinn County Rest Area Northbound
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
McMinn County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 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
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Driver Services Center
1.4 mi from route
Rest Area and Tennessee Welcome Center
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 202.2 — 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.
7
202.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
|
US 11; US 64; SR 317
Take the exit onto US 11; US 64; SR 317 toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 6...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.83 one way
$71.66 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.62 | $39.10 | $78.19 |
| premium | $5.25 | $44.42 | $88.85 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $53.07 | $106.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Sevierville, TN - Tesla Supercharger
Kodak, TN
Tesla
24 DCFC
Knoxville, TN - Ray Mears Boulevard - Tesla Supercharger
Knoxville, TN
Tesla
16 DCFC
Target T2057 (Knoxville, TN)
Knoxville, TN
Electrify America
12 DCFC
Bucees Sevierville MB.HPC
Kodak, TN
MERCEDES_BENZ
10 DCFC
Johnson City, TN - Tesla Supercharger
Johnson City, TN
Tesla
8 DCFC
Knoxville, TN - Brookview Centre Way - Tesla Supercharger
Knoxville, TN
Tesla
8 DCFC
Elizabethton Ford
Elizabethton, TN
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
Johnson City Ford
Johnson City, TN
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 12
Tesla: 4
Electrify America: 3
FORD_CHARGE: 2
EV Connect: 2
eVgo Network: 2
Blink Network: 2
MERCEDES_BENZ: 1
Non-Networked: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.80 | $8.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Johnson City, TN
Late night in Johnson City on Friday
Local time
4:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Red Bank, TN
Late night in Red Bank on Friday
Local time
4:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
N 5 mph
0% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 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
4h 7m 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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 81.5
Park Closure: Park Headquarters Road is closed
Park Closure: Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 96% of the drive on interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 77.1 miles on I-75 without needing to exit. The majority of the driving will be on these high-speed roads, with a minimal amount on surface streets as you approach your destination. Expect to encounter a good number of exits and merging traffic as you navigate the interstate system.
96% 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: 77.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 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
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 19 significant decision points across 214.8 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
Mostly flat terrain
1,628 ft
729 ft
Total Climb
309 ft
Total Descent
1,208 ft
Highest Point
1,628 ft
Elevation Range
899 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.
Between Johnson City, TN and Red Bank, TN, road signs point toward Secondary Sr 317 West and Old Lee Highway.
Secondary Sr 317 West
202.2 mi in
|
~3h 44m
|
via US 11; US 64; SR 317
Old Lee Highway
202.2 mi in
|
~3h 44m
|
via US 11; US 64; SR 317
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 Red Bank, TN
Full guide →Red Bank is a hip city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in the United States. It is the Garden State's answer to Greenwich Village. Red Bank is famous for being the home of legendary big band leader Count Basie and the stomping grounds of celebrities Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and raunchy filmmaker Kevin Smith. Several of Kevin Smith's movies are set or filmed in Red Bank, most notably Chasing Amy and the TV series Comic Book Men. In 2012, Smithsonian Magazine listed Red Bank as the 3rd best small town in America, citing its numerous theaters, galleries, and art festivals.
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 4h 7m. Total distance: 214.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.1 miles on I 75. 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 Red Bank, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Red Bank, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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