Kingsport, TN to Smyrna, TN is 389.7 miles and takes about 7h 25m via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily through Tennessee, connecting two points within the Southeast region. Most of the trip is on major interstates, making it a relatively quick and efficient transit. Plan for a day of consistent driving, keeping in mind the total mileage and estimated travel time.
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
194.8 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
291.9 mi
5h 18m
I 81
50.1 mi
53m
US 641
13.7 mi
15m
US 70
9.4 mi
14m
SR 114
4.1 mi
7m
South Wilcox Drive
4 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.9 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 Smyrna, 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 right at fork
192 ft·4 sec
25
Merge onto US 641
14 mi·15 min·US 641
26
Turn left onto US 70
1.6 mi·2 min·US 70
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
7.8 mi·11 min·US 70
28
Turn left onto SR 114
4.1 mi·7 min·SR 114
29
Turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi·6 min·Buena Vista Road
30
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2.0 mi·7 min·Smyrna Road
31
Turn right onto Buck Ditch Road
58 ft·2 sec·Buck Ditch Road
32
Arrive at destination
Buck Ditch Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 25m estimated drive time, leaving Kingsport early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. The route has two recommended stops, which are good opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. With a 389.7-mile distance, you could potentially break this into two shorter driving days if preferred, but it's manageable in one. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 291.9-mile segment on I-40, as services can be spaced out.
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 194.8 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 291.9 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 86 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.8 miles or 3h 36m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, 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 389.7 miles and 7h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 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 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 357.7 — 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
6
357.7 mi into trip|~6h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.55 one way
$115.10 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$63.53
$127.07
premium
$4.72
$72.36
$144.71
diesel
$4.80
$73.58
$147.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.9
1
$40.92
$18.71
Efficient EV
97.4
1
$34.10
$15.59
EV Truck/SUV
155.9
1
$54.56
$24.94
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
2:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Smyrna, TN
Late night
in Smyrna on Sunday
Local time
1:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph4% chanceLive 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 25m 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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 255.3
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 80.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch is 291.9 miles, all on I-40. You'll notice a high number of exits in some populated areas, requiring attention as you navigate merging traffic and potential slowdowns before returning to more open cruising.
96% 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 24 significant decision points across 389.7 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
1,765 ft417 ft
Total Climb
1,103 ft
Total Descent
1,797 ft
Highest Point
1,765 ft
~167 mi in
Elevation Range
1,348 ft
Notable High Points
1,765 ft at ~167 miles+659 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 Smyrna, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis, Louisville, Paris and Parsons.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 25m. Total distance: 389.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 291.9 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 47 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 Smyrna, 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 47 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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smyrna, TN before the return drive.
