Johnson City, TN to Waynesboro, TN is 380.1 miles and takes about 7h 10m via I 40, I 81, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, predominantly highway drive, suitable for a single day's travel if you get an early start. Consider this route for its efficiency and directness when moving across 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
190.1 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.5 mi
3h 22m
I 81
57.1 mi
1h 1m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
44.6 mi
47m
Bear Creek Pike
30.2 mi
34m
Waynesboro Highway
14.4 mi
16m
James H. Quillen Parkway
13.7 mi
16m
I 65
11.5 mi
12m
TN 240
10 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Waynesboro, 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
133 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 235Toward I 840 West: Memphis, MurfreesboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 840
45 mi·47 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 31Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 31AToward I 65 South: HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 65
11 mi·12 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 46Toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
19
Keep slight right at fork
162 ft·4 sec
Exit 46Toward 412: Columbia
20
Turn right onto US 412
30 mi·34 min·Bear Creek Pike
21
Turn right onto TN 20
0.7 mi·1 min·TN 20
22
Continue on SR 20; SR 240
1.3 mi·1 min·SR 20; SR 240
23
Turn slight left onto TN 240
10 mi·17 min·TN 240
24
Continue on SR 240; SR 241
4.9 mi·8 min·SR 240; SR 241
25
Turn right onto US 64
14 mi·16 min·Waynesboro Highway
26
Continue on US 64
1.3 mi·1 min·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
27
At end of road, turn right onto TN 13
192 ft·3 sec·Hill Street
28
Turn left onto TN 13
302 ft·6 sec·West Public Square
29
At end of road, turn left onto TN 13
214 ft·3 sec·Hollis Street
30
Turn left onto TN 13
59 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
31
Arrive at destination
TN 13
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim to depart Johnson City early in the morning to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 380.1 miles into manageable segments, perhaps stopping around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $59, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially during the longer 185.5-mile stretch on I 40. This route is very doable in one day, offering flexibility in your timing.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 190.1 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 84 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.1 miles or 3h 30m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waynesboro, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Johnson City, TN
This is one driving day of about 380.1 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Johnson City, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 185.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 303.8 — 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
8
257.8 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
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 235
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
8
303.5 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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 31
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
8
303.8 mi into trip|~5h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.69 one way
$115.38 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$64.45
$128.90
premium
$4.73
$70.74
$141.48
diesel
$5.99
$89.67
$179.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114
1
$39.91
$18.24
Efficient EV
95
1
$33.26
$15.20
EV Truck/SUV
152
1
$53.21
$24.33
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Johnson City, TN
Afternoon
in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Areas Of Frost
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waynesboro, TN
Afternoon
in Waynesboro on Sunday
Local time
1:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Clear
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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
7h 10m 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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 275.3
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 78.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 87% of this trip on highways, with the longest stretch of continuous highway driving being 185.5 miles on I 40. The highway portion concludes, transitioning to surface roads for the remaining miles. Expect frequent exits and changes in the surrounding environment as you navigate the interstate system for the majority of your travel.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.5 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 23 significant decision points across 380.1 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 257.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,889 ft529 ft
Total Climb
1,574 ft
Total Descent
2,447 ft
Highest Point
1,889 ft
~190.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,360 ft
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 Waynesboro, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Murfreesboro, Huntsville, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill and 412: Columbia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 10m. Total distance: 380.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Waynesboro, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 257.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waynesboro, TN before the return drive.
