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Trip from Kingsport, TN to Somerville, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 20m

Distance

449.8 mi

724 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$70

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
8h 13m ★
6 AM
8h 20m
8 AM
8h 35m
10 AM
8h 25m
12 PM
8h 24m
3 PM
8h 26m
5 PM
8h 34m
8 PM
8h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Tennessee, United States

Somerville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Kingsport, TN to Somerville, TN is 449.8 miles and takes about 8h 20m via I 40, I 81, and TN 76, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This drive stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Tennessee. It's a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for efficient travel between these two points. Given the duration, planning for one stop is practical, allowing you to break up the drive comfortably over two days.

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

224.9 miles from Kingsport, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 366.1 mi 6h 38m
I 81 50.1 mi 53m
TN 76 12.5 mi 17m
SR 76 4.9 mi 7m
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
Longest stretch: I 40 — 366.1 mi, about 6h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Somerville, 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 1B Toward 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 Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 3 min · I 40
Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville Use 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, Memphis Use 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 210A Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

156 mi · 2 hr 48 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec
Exit 52 Toward SR 179, SR 76: Whiteville
24

Turn right onto Stanton Koko Road

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Stanton Koko Road
25

At end of road, turn right onto TN 76

0.2 mi · 19 sec · TN 76
26

Continue on SR 76; SR 179

4.9 mi · 7 min · SR 76; SR 179
27

Continue on TN 76

10.0 mi · 14 min · TN 76
28

At end of road, turn left onto TN 59

0.1 mi · 10 sec · TN 59
29

Continue on TN 76

2.3 mi · 3 min · TN 76
30

Turn right onto US 64

42 ft · 0 sec · US 64
31

Arrive at destination

US 64

Trip Plan

For this 8h 20m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to complete it in one go, though splitting it over two days is advised. With only 2 planned stops, strategically place them to break up the longest stretch of 366.1 miles on I 40. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as highway services can sometimes be spaced out. Your estimated fuel cost is around $70, so budget accordingly. A good tip is to plan your overnight stop roughly halfway, around the 4-hour mark, to ensure a relaxed pace.

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 224.9 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 366.1 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 99 miles or 1h 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 224.9 miles or 4h 8m 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 224.9 miles or 4h 8m

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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerville, 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 225 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Somerville, TN

Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 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 366.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Macon County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Lafayette, TN

225 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Lafayette, TN

Overnight Options

Night 1

Lafayette, TN

225 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Lafayette, TN after about 225 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Knoxville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 99 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 224.9 miles from Kingsport, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 366.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 225 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Two Dads Cafe 'N Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kingsport, Tennessee

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14233924005

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Knoxville, Tennessee

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.4

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Two Dads Cafe 'N Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kingsport, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14233924005

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.4

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cultivate Coffee + Flowers

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.4

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18652537560

Visit website

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 96.4

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Kingsport Speedway

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Kingsport, Tennessee

+14232885992

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 431.9 — 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
6
431.9 mi into trip | ~7h 54m in

Take the exit toward SR 179, SR 76: Whiteville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 52 Toward SR 179, SR 76: Whiteville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$70.32 one way

$140.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 157 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $77.21 $154.42
premium $4.89 $86.56 $173.12
diesel $5.61 $99.31 $198.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$70

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$200–$310

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 157.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $47 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 134.9 1 $47.23 $21.59
Efficient EV 112.5 1 $39.36 $17.99
EV Truck/SUV 179.9 2 $62.97 $28.79

Gas CO2

157 kg

EV CO2

53 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

55°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 0 to 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Somerville, TN

Evening in Somerville on Saturday

Local time

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Lafayette, TN

225 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

2 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

8h 20m 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

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 ~55 min detour Free near mile 248.2
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 77.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I 40, I 81, and TN 76. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, with the longest uninterrupted segment being 366.1 miles on I 40. Expect a consistent driving rhythm for most of the trip, minimizing the need for frequent speed adjustments or navigation through slower local roads. The character remains largely highway-centric, offering a direct and predictable path.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 366.1 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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 449.8 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.

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 Somerville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.

Nashville

115.7 mi in | ~2h 11m | via I 40

Memphis

272.7 mi in | ~5h 1m | via I 40

Louisville

273.8 mi in | ~5h 2m | via I 40

About the Cities

Starting in Kingsport, TN

Full guide →

Kingsport (pop. 48,205) is a city in Eastern Tennessee.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 366.1 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 225 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 Somerville, 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 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Somerville, TN before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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