If you are planning a trip from Kingsport to Sparta, you are looking at a 192.1-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 47 minutes. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you can easily complete the trip in a single day. Budget approximately $29 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Tennessee destinations. Because the route avoids major highways entirely, it offers a more intimate look at the local landscape compared to a standard cross-country haul. It is a straightforward trip for those who prefer navigating back roads over heavy traffic, making it a perfect one-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
98.7 mi
1h 48m
I 81
50.1 mi
53m
Sparta Highway
25.9 mi
38m
South Wilcox Drive
4 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
US 70
2.5 mi
5m
TN 93
2.3 mi
2m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
1.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 98.7 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Sparta, 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
46 mi·49 min·I 40
Toward Nashville
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward TN 101: Crossville
19
Turn left onto SR 101
0.4 mi·41 sec·Peavine Road
20
Enter roundabout onto US 70; SR 101
48 ft·1 sec·US 70; SR 101
21
Continue on US 70; SR 101
2.5 mi·5 min·US 70; SR 101
22
Turn right onto US 70
1.4 mi·2 min·West Avenue
23
Turn left onto US 70
26 mi·38 min·Sparta Highway
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto SR 84
30 ft·0 sec·North Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
SR 84
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 192.1-mile route, it is best to start your drive during daylight hours to ensure you can navigate the local streets comfortably. You should plan for at least one stop along the way to break up the drive and keep your focus sharp on the winding roads. Since you aren't dealing with highway speeds, keep a steady pace and allow for extra time if you encounter local traffic. Keep your $29 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local roads may offer different gas station access than major interstates. Remember that the lack of highway segments means you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace as needed throughout the day.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.7 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 42 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sparta, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kingsport, TN
This is one driving day of about 192.1 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Kingsport, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 98.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 162.3 — 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
5
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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
Toward Nashville
5
162.3 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|US 70; SR 101
Enter roundabout onto US 70; SR 101
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.03 one way
$60.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.97
$65.95
premium
$4.89
$36.97
$73.94
diesel
$5.61
$42.41
$84.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.6
0
$20.17
$9.22
Efficient EV
48
0
$16.81
$7.68
EV Truck/SUV
76.8
0
$26.89
$12.29
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sparta, TN
Night
in Sparta on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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
3h 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route consists entirely of local roads like Broad Street, East Main Street, and East Sullivan Street. With a highway share of 0%, you will not be dealing with the monotony of interstate travel; instead, the drive is defined by its constant turns and local transit patterns. There is no long-distance cruising here, as evidenced by the longest stretch on Broad Street measuring 0 miles. You will need to stay alert behind the wheel, as the road requires your full attention throughout the 3-hour and 47-minute duration. It is a technical, winding path that keeps you engaged with the local geography from start to finish.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 47m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 62.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Sparta, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
The longest stretch is about 98.7 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 62.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Sparta, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
