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Trip from Kingsport, TN to Gallatin, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 59m

Distance

266.5 mi

429 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 46m ★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 26m
8 PM
4h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and the county seat of Sumner County, Tennessee, United States

Gallatin, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 266.5-mile journey from Kingsport, TN, to Gallatin, TN, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on I-40 and I-81, with a portion on SR 109, maintaining a 96% highway focus. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $42. It's a straightforward drive through the Southeast region, suitable for those looking for an efficient transit rather than a scenic exploration. Given the duration and highway-centric profile, this route is best tackled as a continuous drive, perhaps with a single, brief 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

133.3 miles from Kingsport, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 188.8 mi 3h 25m
I 81 50.1 mi 53m
SR 109 12.7 mi 18m
South Wilcox Drive 4 mi 6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive 3.1 mi 3m
TN 93 2.3 mi 2m
South Water Avenue 1.7 mi 3m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway 1.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 188.8 mi, about 3h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Gallatin, TN.

1

Start on TN 36

0.1 mi · 24 sec · West Center Street
2

Turn right onto Broad Street

436 ft · 12 sec · Broad Street
3

Enter roundabout onto Broad Street

49 ft · 1 sec · Broad Street
4

Continue on Broad Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Broad Street
5

Turn left onto East Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
6

Continue on East Sullivan Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · East Sullivan Street
7

Turn right onto TN 126

2.6 mi · 4 min · South Wilcox Drive
8

Turn right onto TN 93

1.5 mi · 1 min · Sullivan Gardens Parkway
9

Continue on SR 93

1.5 mi · 1 min · South Wilcox Drive
10

Continue on SR 93

3.1 mi · 3 min · Sullivan Gardens Drive
11

Continue on TN 93

2.3 mi · 2 min · TN 93
12

Continue on SR 93

0.3 mi · 21 sec · SR 93
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
14

Merge onto I 81

49 mi · 52 min · I 81
15

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81
Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
16

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

136 mi · 2 hr 26 min · I 40
Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 232 Toward TN 109: Gallatin Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn right onto SR 109

13 mi · 18 min · SR 109
20

Continue on South Water Avenue

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Water Avenue
Use the left lane.
21

Turn left onto TN 25

67 ft · 1 sec · West Main Street
22

Arrive at destination

TN 25

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour, 59-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Kingsport to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Gallatin. With just one recommended stop and a 96% highway share, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 188.8 miles on I-40, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $42 makes it a budget-friendly option for a full day's travel.

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 133.3 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.8 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 133.3 miles or 2h 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 4h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gallatin, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, TN

This is one driving day of about 266.5 miles and 4h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Kingsport, 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 188.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Spring City, TN

133 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

Sevierville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Spring City, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.3 miles from Kingsport, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Two Dads Cafe 'N Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kingsport, Tennessee

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14233924005

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Knoxville, Tennessee

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.2

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Two Dads Cafe 'N Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kingsport, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14233924005

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.2

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cultivate Coffee + Flowers

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.2

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18652537560

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 76.2

Kodak, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 76.2

Kodak, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336224743

Visit website

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 95.2

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Kingsport Speedway

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Kingsport, Tennessee

+14232885992

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 251.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Broad Street

Turn right onto Broad Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Broad Street

Enter roundabout onto Broad Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
115.7 mi into trip | ~2h 11m 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
251.8 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in

Take the exit toward TN 109: Gallatin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 232 Toward TN 109: Gallatin

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.66 one way

$83.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $45.75 $91.49
premium $4.89 $51.29 $102.57
diesel $5.61 $58.84 $117.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80 0 $27.98 $12.79
Efficient EV 66.6 0 $23.32 $10.66
EV Truck/SUV 106.6 1 $37.31 $17.06

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Kingsport, TN

Night in Kingsport on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gallatin, TN

Night in Gallatin on Saturday

Local time

9:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Spring City, TN

133 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

30 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

4h 59m 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

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 248.1
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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...

27 mi from route ~69 min detour Free near mile 73.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highly focused highway experience on this route, with 96% of your travel occurring on interstates. The personality of the drive is predominantly that of efficient, long-distance travel. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 188.8 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace. While the route is largely highway-based, the shift to SR 109 will introduce a slightly different road feel as you approach your destination. This drive prioritizes covering ground quickly, making it ideal for straightforward transit.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.8 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Broad Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 62.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

On the drive from Kingsport, TN to Gallatin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.

Nashville

115.7 mi in | ~2h 11m | via I 40

About the Cities

Starting in Kingsport, TN

Full guide →

Kingsport (pop. 48,205) is a city in Eastern Tennessee.

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 59m. Total distance: 266.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 59m 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 188.8 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Broad Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 62.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Gallatin, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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