Kingsport, TN to Lakeland, TN is 464 miles and takes about 8 hours 29 minutes via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $82 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Tennessee, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. Most of your time will be spent on major interstate highways, making for a straightforward drive. Consider this an efficient way to cover ground across the state if you're looking for a direct connection.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
232 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
397.5 mi
7h 12m
I 81
50.1 mi
53m
South Wilcox Drive
4 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
TN 93
2.3 mi
2m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
1.5 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 397.5 mi, about 7h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Lakeland, 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 1BToward 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
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 20Toward Canada Road, LakelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
428 ft·10 sec
Toward Canada Road NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto Canada Road
0.4 mi·55 sec·Canada Road
26
Turn right onto Leeward Slopes Lane
229 ft·9 sec·Leeward Slopes Lane
27
Arrive at destination
Leeward Slopes Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 8 hour 29 minute estimated drive time, this route is comfortably manageable in a single day, but splitting it over two days is also a good option. Leaving Kingsport in the morning will give you ample time to reach Lakeland before evening. With only two recommended stops, plan your breaks strategically to coincide with services along I-40. The fuel cost is estimated at $82, so ensure your tank is full before departing and keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the long 397.5-mile stretch on 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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 232 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 4h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 397.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 102 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 232 miles or 4h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 232 miles or 4h 16m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeland, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kingsport, TN
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lakeland, TN
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Kingsport, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 397.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 463.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
9
270.6 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
272.7 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
463.3 mi into trip|~8h 28m in
Take the exit toward Canada Road, Lakeland
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 20
Toward Canada Road, Lakeland
8
463.5 mi into trip|~8h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Canada Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Canada Road North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.14 one way
$154.29 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg162 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$84.03
$168.06
premium
$5.18
$94.68
$189.36
diesel
$5.35
$97.73
$195.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 162.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
139.2
1
$48.72
$22.27
Efficient EV
116
1
$40.60
$18.56
EV Truck/SUV
185.6
2
$64.96
$29.70
Gas CO2
162 kg
EV CO2
54 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Kingsport, TN
Afternoon
in Kingsport on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lakeland, TN
Afternoon
in Lakeland on Wednesday
Local time
2:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph13% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Baxter, TN
232 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8 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
8h 29m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 256
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 97% of this trip on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I-40 and I-81. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 397.5 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of highway cruising. You'll transition to surface roads, like South Wilcox Drive, for the final portion of the drive. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate these busy interstates.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 397.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 115.7 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 464 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 115.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,774 ft302 ft
Total Climb
1,527 ft
Total Descent
2,341 ft
Highest Point
1,774 ft
~165.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,472 ft
Notable High Points
1,774 ft at ~165.7 miles+700 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kingsport, TN and Lakeland, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
The longest stretch is about 397.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 232 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 53 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 Lakeland, 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 53 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lakeland, TN before the return drive.
