If you are planning to head from Kingsport to Pigeon Forge, you are looking at a straightforward 91.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 47 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-81, I-40, and the Winfield Dunn Parkway, keeping your travel time efficient. Budgeting about $14 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably, making this a cost-effective excursion through Tennessee. Because the entire route remains within the Southeast region, the transition between these two Tennessee hubs is seamless and familiar. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B with minimal stress.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.8 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
50.1 mi
53m
I 40
13.3 mi
14m
Winfield Dunn Parkway
8.7 mi
11m
Parkway
5.7 mi
8m
South Wilcox Drive
4 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
TN 93
2.3 mi
2m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
1.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 50.1 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Pigeon Forge, 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
13 mi·14 min·I 40
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward SR 66: Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, GatlinburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward SR 66: Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg
19
Continue on SR 66
8.7 mi·11 min·Winfield Dunn Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Continue on US 441
0.6 mi·46 sec·Forks of the River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Parkway
5.7 mi·8 min·Parkway
Use the right lane.
22
Take the exit
509 ft·15 sec
Toward Old Mill Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Old Mill Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than rushing to beat daylight. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the trip in one go, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise before merging onto I-81. Keep in mind that traffic volume can fluctuate on these major arteries, so checking real-time conditions before you leave Kingsport is a smart move. Given the 1 hour and 47 minute duration, you will likely find that you do not need to schedule major rest breaks. Use the efficiency of this route to your advantage by arriving in Pigeon Forge refreshed and ready to start your activities immediately.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.8 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.1 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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.8 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pigeon Forge, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kingsport, TN
This is one driving day of about 91.5 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Kingsport, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 50.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 85.8 — 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
7
76.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward SR 66: Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg
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.
Toward SR 66: Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlin...
7
76.4 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 66: Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 66: Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlin...
5
85.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|Parkway
Turn right onto Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.30 one way
$28.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.71
$31.41
premium
$4.89
$17.61
$35.22
diesel
$5.61
$20.20
$40.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.5
0
$9.61
$4.39
Efficient EV
22.9
0
$8.01
$3.66
EV Truck/SUV
36.6
0
$12.81
$5.86
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pigeon Forge, TN
Night
in Pigeon Forge on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
33 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
1h 47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 91.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 90 percent of your journey is spent cruising on major thoroughfares. The road maintains a consistent pace, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 50.1 miles along I-81. You will find that the character of the drive is defined by these fast, multi-lane highways that prioritize speed over local sightseeing. As you transition from the interstate onto the Winfield Dunn Parkway, the flow of traffic remains steady and predictable. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a standard interstate grind rather than technical backroads, ensuring a smooth and reliable trek for your vehicle.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.1 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.5 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 76.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,633 ft901 ft
Total Climb
873 ft
Total Descent
1,088 ft
Highest Point
1,633 ft
~13.1 mi in
Elevation Range
732 ft
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 Pigeon Forge, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Gatlinburg along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 91.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.1 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Pigeon Forge, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 76.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pigeon Forge, TN before heading back.
