Embarking from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and concluding in Kingsport, Tennessee, this 353.5-mile journey is designed for a single day of travel, estimated to take around 6 hours and 33 minutes. You'll primarily be navigating interstates, with I-40 and I-81 forming the backbone of this highway-focused drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, it's an economical option for covering significant ground across the Southeast region. This route is straightforward, making it a manageable day trip for most drivers.
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
176.8 miles from Lawrenceburg, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.8 mi
3h 23m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
45 mi
48m
Lawrenceburg Highway
30.5 mi
35m
I 65
12.1 mi
12m
Andrew Jackson Highway
10.8 mi
12m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
North Locust Avenue
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.8 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lawrenceburg, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on this road
123 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Military Avenue
115 ft·10 sec·North Military Avenue
3
Turn left onto East Gaines Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Gaines Street
4
Turn left onto US 43
3.6 mi·4 min·North Locust Avenue
5
Continue on US 43
11 mi·12 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
6
Continue on US 43
31 mi·35 min·Lawrenceburg Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
8
Merge onto I 65
12 mi·12 min·I 65
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 59A-BToward I 840: Memphis, KnoxvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
Exit 59AToward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
11
Merge onto I 840
45 mi·48 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 76AToward I 40 East: Knoxville, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
149 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
17
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
18
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
19
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
20
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
21
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
22
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
23
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
25
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
26
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
27
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
28
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
29
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
30
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Lawrenceburg to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you'll have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 185.8-mile stretch on I-40, as services can be spaced out. Having a full tank before starting that segment is a smart move.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.8 miles from Lawrenceburg, TN, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.8 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 78 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.8 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 23m
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 Lawrenceburg, 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 Lawrenceburg, TN
This is one driving day of about 353.5 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Lawrenceburg, 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 185.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 57.7 and 340.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
57.7 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
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 59A-B
Toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
7
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59A
Toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
9
103.4 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
6
253.2 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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.
8
340.7 mi into trip|~6h 14m 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
$52.20 one way
$104.41 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$57.63
$115.26
premium
$4.72
$65.63
$131.27
diesel
$4.80
$66.75
$133.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.1
1
$37.12
$16.97
Efficient EV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
EV Truck/SUV
141.4
1
$49.49
$22.62
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Lawrenceburg, TN
Late night
in Lawrenceburg on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
0 mph10% 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
23 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
6h 33m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 85.3
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 280.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a high-speed, highway-centric route, with 84% of the drive on interstates. Expect long stretches of efficient travel, including one continuous segment of 185.8 miles on I-40. The Tennessee National Guard Parkway also features in the latter part of the drive, contributing to the overall interstate feel. While not characterized by winding backroads, the consistent highway profile allows for steady progress towards your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 57.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 353.5 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 57.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,965 ft589 ft
Total Climb
1,847 ft
Total Descent
1,531 ft
Highest Point
1,965 ft
~176.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,375 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lawrenceburg, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro and Lebanon.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 353.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.4 miles: 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
