Crossing Tennessee from Kingsport to Savannah covers 401.5 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 36 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is almost entirely interstate-focused, you can comfortably complete it in a single day if you stay focused. You should budget approximately $61 for fuel to cover the distance across the state. While the trip stays within the Southeast region, it spans a significant portion of Tennessee, moving from the eastern mountains toward the western part of the state. It is a straightforward, highway-heavy trek that prioritizes efficiency over local backroads. Whether you are traveling for work or a quick getaway, this route is designed for those who want to reach their destination reliably and quickly.
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
200.8 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.5 mi
3h 22m
I 81
50.1 mi
53m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
44.6 mi
47m
US 64
31.3 mi
36m
Bear Creek Pike
30.2 mi
34m
Waynesboro Highway
14.4 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 Kingsport, TN and Savannah, 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
133 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 235Toward I 840 West: Memphis, MurfreesboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 840
45 mi·47 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 31Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 31AToward I 65 South: HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 65
11 mi·12 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 46Toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
24
Keep slight right at fork
162 ft·4 sec
Exit 46Toward 412: Columbia
25
Turn right onto US 412
30 mi·34 min·Bear Creek Pike
26
Turn right onto TN 20
0.7 mi·1 min·TN 20
27
Continue on SR 20; SR 240
1.3 mi·1 min·SR 20; SR 240
28
Turn slight left onto TN 240
10 mi·17 min·TN 240
29
Continue on SR 240; SR 241
4.9 mi·8 min·SR 240; SR 241
30
Turn right onto US 64
14 mi·16 min·Waynesboro Highway
31
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·56 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
32
Turn right onto US 64
31 mi·36 min·US 64
33
Turn left onto Guinn Street
39 ft·1 sec·Guinn Street
34
Arrive at destination
Guinn Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 7-hour and 36-minute journey manageable, plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the longest stretch spans over 185 miles, try to time your breaks to align with refueling needs before you hit the more isolated sections of the interstate. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day traffic congestion, especially when navigating major interchanges. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the I-40 corridor to ensure you are not caught off guard by fluctuating prices. Because this is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; simply maintain a steady speed and keep your itinerary light to account for potential highway delays.
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 200.8 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 3h 42m 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 88 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.8 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Savannah, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kingsport, TN
This is one driving day of about 401.5 miles and 7h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Kingsport, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 307.8 — 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
8
248.4 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
294.2 mi into trip|~5h 23m 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
294.5 mi into trip|~5h 23m 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
7
307.8 mi into trip|~5h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 412: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 46
Toward 412: Columbia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.77 one way
$125.54 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$68.92
$137.84
premium
$4.89
$77.27
$154.53
diesel
$5.61
$88.65
$177.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.4
1
$42.16
$19.27
Efficient EV
100.4
1
$35.13
$16.06
EV Truck/SUV
160.6
2
$56.21
$25.70
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Kingsport, TN
Night
in Kingsport on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Savannah, TN
Evening
in Savannah on Saturday
Local time
8:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
201 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
3 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
7h 36m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 276.9
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 69.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 86% of this trip is spent on major highways like I-81 and I-40. The route is dominated by a long-haul feel, featuring a significant 185.5-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-40. You will transition from these high-speed interstate corridors onto the Tennessee National Guard Parkway as you approach your destination in Savannah. Because the drive is highway-focused, the experience behind the wheel is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. Prepare for a steady pace that allows you to cover large swaths of the state with minimal navigation changes, making it ideal for drivers who prefer maintaining momentum.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 401.5 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 248.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Savannah, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Murfreesboro, Huntsville, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill and 412: Columbia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 36m. Total distance: 401.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 36m 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.
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 Savannah, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294.2 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Savannah, TN before the return drive.
