Spanning 258.6 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Lafayette to Kingsport takes approximately 5 hours and 1 minute of pure drive time. Since the entire route stays within the Southeast, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere from start to finish. Expect a fuel budget of about $38 to cover the distance, making it a relatively affordable day trip. While you could technically complete the journey in one day, the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you should prepare for a focused, active driving experience. It serves as a practical connection between these two points, perfect for travelers who prefer local roads over the monotony of major interstates.
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
129.3 miles from Lafayette, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
162.7 mi
2h 58m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Hartsville Road
11.5 mi
17m
Dixon Springs Highway
10.6 mi
16m
TN 25
4.9 mi
7m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Highway 25 East
3.1 mi
4m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 162.7 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on this road
19 ft·0 sec·this road
2
Continue on TN 10; TN 261
106 ft·2 sec·Public Square
3
Continue on TN 10
0.5 mi·54 sec·College Street
4
Continue on TN 10
12 mi·17 min·Hartsville Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto TN 25
3.1 mi·4 min·Highway 25 East
6
Continue on TN 25
10 mi·15 min·Dixon Springs Highway
7
Continue on Dixon Springs Highway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Dixon Springs Highway
8
Continue on Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
9
Continue on Upper Ferry Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Upper Ferry Road
10
Turn right onto TN 25
4.9 mi·7 min·TN 25
Use the right lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
12
Merge onto I 40
126 mi·2 hr 17 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
16
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
17
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
18
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
19
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
20
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
21
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
22
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
24
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
25
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
26
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
27
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
28
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
29
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration and the absence of high-speed highway segments, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue on the tighter turns. With only one recommended stop, you should choose your break location carefully to maximize your comfort during the long stretches on local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $38 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local pricing along these secondary routes. Because the road is quite technical, build in extra time for traffic or slower-moving vehicles you might encounter on the local stretches. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't feel pressured to rush through the winding sections.
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 129.3 miles from Lafayette, TN, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.7 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 57 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.3 miles or 2h 35m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsport, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, TN
This is one driving day of about 258.6 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Lafayette, 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 162.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.1 and 245.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12.1 mi into trip|~18m in|TN 25 / Highway 25 East
At end of road, turn left onto TN 25 / Highway 25 East
Navigation decision point
6
158.3 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
195 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
245.5 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
245.7 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.43 one way
$80.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.39
$88.78
premium
$4.89
$49.77
$99.53
diesel
$5.61
$57.10
$114.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.6
0
$27.15
$12.41
Efficient EV
64.7
0
$22.63
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.20
$16.55
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Lafayette, TN
Night
in Lafayette on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Night
in Kingsport on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
129 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.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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 1m 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.
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 178.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Forget about mindless highway cruising; this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local road personality. You will navigate via Public Square, College Street, and Hartsville Road, with a highway share of 0 percent. Because the route relies entirely on local infrastructure, you won't encounter long, uninterrupted high-speed stretches, as evidenced by the longest stretch on Public Square being 0 miles. The drive demands your full attention as you transition through the winding local landscape. Expect a technical, hands-on experience behind the wheel that keeps you engaged with the road rather than letting you settle into a cruise-control rhythm.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 12.1 miles in near TN 25 / Highway 25 East.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 258.6 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 12.1 miles (TN 25 / Highway 25 East): Navigation decision point; at 158.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Lafayette, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 258.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.7 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.
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 Kingsport, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.1 miles (TN 25 / Highway 25 East): Navigation decision point; at 158.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kingsport, TN before the return drive.
