Medina, TN to Johnson, TN is 289.5 miles and takes about 5h 39m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the western part of the state across to the eastern region. With most of the trip on the interstate, it's a straightforward run. Expect a relatively quick travel time, making it a good option for a single-day transit.
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
144.8 miles from Medina, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
255.6 mi
4h 36m
Spring Creek Highway
6.3 mi
11m
Loudon Highway
5.4 mi
7m
Decatur Highway
4.6 mi
6m
Spring Creek Law Road
3.8 mi
6m
Sweetwater Road
3.6 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
Johnson Valley Road
2.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 255.6 mi, about 4h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, TN and Johnson, TN.
1
Start on Central Street
42 ft·4 sec·Central Street
2
Turn left onto West Avenue
138 ft·10 sec·West Avenue
3
Turn right onto SR 152
507 ft·10 sec·North Main Street
4
Turn right onto SR 152
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Foster Avenue
5
Continue on SR 152
6.3 mi·11 min·Spring Creek Highway
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
74 ft·2 sec·US 70
7
Turn right onto SR 152
3.8 mi·6 min·Spring Creek Law Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto SR 152
1.3 mi·2 min·Law Road
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
10
Merge onto I 40
114 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
142 mi·2 hr 34 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Primary SR 58 South: Kingston
16
Turn right onto SR 58
2.0 mi·5 min·North Kentucky Street
17
Continue on SR 58
4.6 mi·6 min·Decatur Highway
18
Turn left onto SR 72
5.4 mi·7 min·Loudon Highway
19
Turn right onto SR 322
3.6 mi·6 min·Sweetwater Road
20
Turn right onto Johnson Valley Road
2.5 mi·9 min·Johnson Valley Road
21
Turn slight left onto Raby Town Road
135 ft·6 sec·Raby Town Road
22
Arrive at destination
Raby Town Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 39-minute estimated drive time, starting your trip in Medina, TN early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. The majority of your travel will be on I 40, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 255.6 miles where services might be less frequent. While only one stop is officially noted, plan for brief breaks as needed. The $44 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your stop timing.
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 144.8 miles from Medina, TN, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 255.6 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 64 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.8 miles or 2h 45m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medina, 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 Medina, TN
This is one driving day of about 289.5 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Medina, 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 255.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 129.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 152 / North Main Street
Turn right onto SR 152 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
12 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
12.2 mi into trip|~21m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
126.1 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
129.3 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.75 one way
$85.51 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$47.20
$94.40
premium
$4.72
$53.75
$107.50
diesel
$4.80
$54.66
$109.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.9
1
$30.40
$13.90
Efficient EV
72.4
0
$25.33
$11.58
EV Truck/SUV
115.8
1
$40.53
$18.53
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Medina, TN
Late night
in Medina on Sunday
Local time
4:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:43PM CDT until July 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:34PM CDT until July 17 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Johnson, TN
Late night
in Johnson on Sunday
Local time
5:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
0 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:43PM CDT until July 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:34PM CDT until July 17 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
90°F
Hartsville, TN
145 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 39m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 149.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily interstate-focused, with 88% of the drive on highways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 40, including a significant stretch of 255.6 miles without needing to exit. The final portion of the drive will transition to surface roads like Spring Creek Highway and Loudon Highway, likely bringing a change in traffic patterns and speed limits as you approach your destination.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 255.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Spring Creek Highway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 152 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 289.5 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 152 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 12.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,931 ft492 ft
Total Climb
1,845 ft
Total Descent
1,435 ft
Highest Point
1,931 ft
~227.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,439 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medina, TN and Johnson, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Primary Sr 58 South: Kingston.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 289.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 255.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Johnson, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 152 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 12.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Johnson, TN before the return drive.
