Origin
Johnson, TN
Morning in Johnson on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson, TN to Mount Carmel, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 38m
Distance
277.1 mi
446 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 25m
★
6 AM
5h 39m
8 AM
6h 5m
10 AM
5h 48m
12 PM
5h 45m
3 PM
5h 49m
5 PM
6h 4m
8 PM
5h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson, TN
WoodysMedia
Mount Carmel, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Johnson, TN to Mount Carmel, TN, expect a 277.1-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 38 minutes to complete. Because this trip is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance, which is primarily focused on highway travel. You will remain within the Southeast region for the entirety of the trip, staying within Tennessee state lines. This route is a straightforward option for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently without needing to navigate complex backroads.
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
138.5 miles from Johnson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 223.4 mi | 4h 2m |
| US 641 | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| Mt Carmel Road | 9.2 mi | 25m |
| Loudon Highway | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| Decatur Highway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Sweetwater Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| West Main Street | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 223.4 mi, about 4h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson, TN and Mount Carmel, TN.
1
Start on Raby Town Road
135 ft
·
6 sec
·
Raby Town Road
2
Continue on Johnson Valley Road
2.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Johnson Valley Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 322
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Sweetwater Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 72
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Loudon Highway
5
At end of road, turn right onto SR 58
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Decatur Highway
6
Continue on SR 58
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kentucky Street
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
8
Merge onto I 40
139 mi
·
2 hr 29 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
15
Keep slight left at fork
153 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
16
Turn left onto US 641
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 641
17
Turn left onto Middleburg Road
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Middleburg Road
18
At end of road, turn left onto TN 100
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
West Main Street
19
Turn right onto 1758
9.2 mi
·
25 min
·
Mt Carmel Road
20
Arrive at destination
Mt Carmel Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and maximize daylight. You only have one planned stop on this route, so make sure to time it strategically to break up the long 223.4-mile interstate stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial segments, as the interstate can quickly eat into your $42 budget if you encounter heavy traffic. Because the route is quite linear, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace if you start feeling restless. Prioritize a comfortable driving position before you hit the long I-40 section to ensure you stay refreshed until you reach Mt Carmel Road.
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 138.5 miles from Johnson, TN, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.4 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.5 miles or 2h 46m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Carmel, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Johnson, 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, TN
This is one driving day of about 277.1 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Johnson, 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 223.4 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 138.5 miles from Johnson, 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 223.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 157.8 and 245.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
157.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
159.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
7
163.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
6
244.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
8
245.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.32 one way
$86.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $47.57 | $95.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $53.33 | $106.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.18 | $122.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.1 | 1 | $29.10 | $13.30 |
| Efficient EV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.25 | $11.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.8 | 1 | $38.79 | $17.73 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Mount Carmel, TN
Morning in Mount Carmel on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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 38m 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 143.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily weighted toward highway driving, with 87% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on I-40, which accounts for a significant 223.4-mile stretch of the trip. After navigating the high-speed interstate, the experience shifts as you transition onto US 641 and eventually Mt Carmel Road. While the interstate portion allows you to cover ground quickly, the final segments provide a change of pace as you move toward your destination. Expect a consistent, highway-focused feel that keeps you moving steadily throughout the duration of the drive.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 157.8 miles in near I 40.
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 16 significant decision points across 277.1 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 157.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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, TN and Mount Carmel, TN, road signs point toward Memphis, Louisville, Paris and Parsons.
Memphis
159.9 mi in
|
~3h 10m
|
via I 40
Louisville
161 mi in
|
~3h 12m
|
via I 40
Paris
244.9 mi in
|
~4h 43m
Parsons
244.9 mi in
|
~4h 43m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 38m. Total distance: 277.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223.4 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 Mount Carmel, 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 157.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. 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 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mount Carmel, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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