Johnson City, TN to Waverly, TN is 349.6 miles and takes about 6h 38m via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of the trip, making it a straightforward journey for those seeking efficiency. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal for a quick transition between two points in the state.
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
174.8 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
245.3 mi
4h 28m
I 81
57.1 mi
1h 1m
Broadway of America Highway
19.9 mi
29m
James H. Quillen Parkway
13.7 mi
16m
SR 46
4.4 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
West College Street
1.8 mi
2m
East College Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 245.3 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Waverly, 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
35 mi·38 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 172Toward SR 46: Centerville, DicksonUse the right lane.
19
Turn right onto SR 46
4.4 mi·6 min·SR 46
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto US 70 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·East College Street
21
Continue on US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·West College Street
22
Continue on US 70
20 mi·29 min·Broadway of America Highway
23
Turn left onto East Acre Avenue
114 ft·5 sec·East Acre Avenue
24
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.3 mi·2 min·East Main Street
25
Turn right onto Mill Street
253 ft·11 sec·Mill Street
26
Arrive at destination
Mill Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 38m estimated duration, starting your drive from Johnson City in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Waverly with ample daylight. The longest stretch of 245.3 miles on I-40 means you can cover a lot of ground efficiently, so plan your primary fuel and rest stop accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer interstate segments, as services can sometimes be spread out. For this single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider a mid-drive break around the halfway point to stretch and refresh before tackling the longest portion of I-40.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.8 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 245.3 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 77 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.8 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waverly, 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 349.6 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 245.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 320.5 — 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
320.5 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Take the exit toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 172
Toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.66 one way
$109.31 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$60.01
$120.02
premium
$4.89
$67.28
$134.55
diesel
$5.61
$77.19
$154.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.9
1
$36.71
$16.78
Efficient EV
87.4
0
$30.59
$13.98
EV Truck/SUV
139.8
1
$48.94
$22.37
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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
7:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waverly, TN
Morning
in Waverly on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Sparta, TN
175 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
1 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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 265.2
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 84.4
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 349.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 92% of it on major roads like I-40 and I-81. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 245.3 miles on I-40, indicating long periods of consistent speed and minimal local road detours. The majority of the journey will feel like a typical interstate experience, allowing for steady progress. While the primary roads are highways, the "Broadway of America Highway" designation suggests occasional opportunities for a more traditional road trip feel interspersed within the faster sections.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 245.3 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 21 significant decision points across 349.6 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 0.4 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 Waverly, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis, Louisville and Dickson.
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
Dickson
320.5 mi in|~5h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 349.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 245.3 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 Waverly, 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, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fort Donelson National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waverly, TN before the return drive.
