Kingsport, TN to Selmer, TN is 424.3 miles and takes about 8h 4m via I 81 and I 40, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the same general area. While it's a substantial distance, the profile is mostly highway, making it a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so plan for efficient travel. Consider this route if you need to cover ground across the state with minimal fuss.
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
212.1 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
291.9 mi
5h 18m
I 81
50.1 mi
53m
US 641
19.3 mi
22m
TN 22
15.5 mi
21m
West Main Street
15.2 mi
22m
East Main Street
13 mi
17m
South Wilcox Drive
4 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 291.9 mi, about 5h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Selmer, 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
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 126Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
24
Keep slight left at fork
153 ft·7 sec
Exit 126Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
25
Turn left onto US 641
19 mi·22 min·US 641
26
Turn right onto TN 100
15 mi·22 min·West Main Street
27
Turn left onto TN 22
16 mi·21 min·TN 22
28
Continue on SR 22
2.9 mi·4 min·North Maple Street
29
Turn right onto US 64
12 mi·16 min·East Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
334 ft·9 sec
31
Turn right onto US 64 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·Mulberry Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
US 64 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour driving time, this trip is best spread over two days to avoid fatigue. Plan to leave Kingsport in the morning, aiming for a stop around the halfway point. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 424.3 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 291.9-mile stretch on I 40, as services can be more spread out. Budgeting around $65 for fuel should cover your needs for the entire trip.
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 212.1 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 291.9 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 93 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 212.1 miles or 3h 54m 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 212.1 miles or 3h 54m
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 6h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Selmer, 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 212 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Selmer, TN
Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 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 291.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 357.9 — 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
7
276.1 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
8
357.9 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
$65.78 one way
$131.57 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg149 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$72.13
$144.26
premium
$4.93
$82.32
$164.64
diesel
$5.60
$93.53
$187.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
127.3
1
$44.55
$20.37
Efficient EV
106.1
1
$37.13
$16.97
EV Truck/SUV
169.7
2
$59.40
$27.16
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
50 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 Aug 15, 2026
Origin
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Wednesday
Local time
2:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 15 at 1:14PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 15 at 1:06PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Selmer, TN
Late night
in Selmer on Wednesday
Local time
1:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
WSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 15 at 1:14PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 15 at 1:06PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
7 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 4m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 248.7
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 73.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 90% of this 424.3-mile drive. The longest stretch without a major change will be 291.9 miles on I 40. Expect a continuous highway experience for the bulk of your time behind the wheel. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive, marking the final segment before reaching Selmer.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 291.9 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 22 significant decision points across 424.3 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
1,848 ft388 ft
Total Climb
1,450 ft
Total Descent
2,207 ft
Highest Point
1,848 ft
~181.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,461 ft
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 Selmer, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis, Louisville, Paris and Parsons.
The longest stretch is about 291.9 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 212 miles on day one.
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 Selmer, 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 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 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Selmer, TN before the return drive.
