Kingsport, TN to Thompson's Station, TN is 300.4 miles and takes about 5h 32m via I 81 and I 40, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get across the state without extensive planning.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
150.2 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m 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
47.7 mi
51m
South Wilcox Drive
4 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
TN 93
2.3 mi
2m
Columbia Pike
2.1 mi
3m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
1.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Thompson's Station, 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
48 mi·51 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 28Toward US 31: Franklin, ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
272 ft·8 sec
Toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, ColumbiaUse the left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
130 ft·3 sec
Toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia
23
Turn straight onto US 31
2.1 mi·3 min·Columbia Pike
24
Turn right onto Thompsons Station Road West
0.3 mi·28 sec·Thompsons Station Road West
25
Continue on Thompsons Station Road West
0.4 mi·56 sec·Thompsons Station Road West
26
Arrive at destination
Thompsons Station Road West
Trip Plan
Given the 5.5-hour drive time and 300.4-mile distance, leaving Kingsport in the morning will allow you to reach Thompson's Station with plenty of daylight. The route is mostly highway, so you'll want to plan your stops accordingly, perhaps around the 185.5-mile mark on I-40. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before entering longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent. With a fuel cost estimate of $46, it's a manageable expense for a single-day trip.
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 150.2 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 2h 48m 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 66 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.2 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompson's Station, 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 300.4 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 297.7 — 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
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
297.2 mi into trip|~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 31: Franklin, Columbia
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 28
Toward US 31: Franklin, Columbia
8
297.6 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring...
7
297.7 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.94 one way
$99.89 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$54.40
$108.81
premium
$5.18
$61.30
$122.60
diesel
$5.35
$63.27
$126.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.1
1
$31.54
$14.42
Efficient EV
75.1
0
$26.29
$12.02
EV Truck/SUV
120.2
1
$42.06
$19.23
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Kingsport, TN
Afternoon
in Kingsport on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Thompson's Station, TN
Afternoon
in Thompson's Station on Wednesday
Local time
2:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph5% 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
1 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
5h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 269.3
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 72.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 96% of the 300.4 miles covered by interstates like I-81 and I-40. You'll experience a long stretch of 185.5 miles on I-40, which means you'll see long stretches of consistent highway cruising. The transition to surface roads will happen near your destination, after the vast majority of your travel is complete. Expect a high volume of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate these major corridors.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 15 significant decision points across 300.4 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 297.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,913 ft604 ft
Total Climb
1,479 ft
Total Descent
1,884 ft
Highest Point
1,913 ft
~171.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,309 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 Thompson's Station, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 300.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Thompson's Station, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 32 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 248.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 297.2 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Thompson's Station, TN before the return drive.
