Millersville, TN to Kingsport, TN is 281.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m via I 40 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering distance efficiently. If you prefer a direct route with minimal fuss, this option is worth considering.
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
140.7 miles from Millersville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
200.1 mi
3h 38m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Old Hickory Boulevard
7.2 mi
11m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Myatt Drive
2.4 mi
3m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
I 65
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 200.1 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Millersville, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on US 31W
1.0 mi·1 min·Louisville Highway
2
Continue on US 31W
0.7 mi·1 min·Blue Star
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 65
2.3 mi·2 min·I 65
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 96Toward Rivergate Parkway, Goodlettsville, HendersonvilleUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
124 ft·5 sec
Toward Rivergate Parkway, HendersonvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto Rivergate Parkway
0.4 mi·49 sec·Rivergate Parkway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Rivergate Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Rivergate Parkway
9
Continue on Myatt Drive
2.4 mi·3 min·Myatt Drive
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto TN 45
0.8 mi·1 min·Burwood Avenue
11
Continue on SR 45
0.5 mi·48 sec·Old Hickory Boulevard
12
Continue on SR 45
1.6 mi·2 min·Robinson Road
13
Continue on SR 45
6.6 mi·10 min·Old Hickory Boulevard
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 40 East: KnoxvilleUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto I 40
163 mi·2 hr 57 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
19
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
20
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
21
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
22
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
23
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
24
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
25
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
27
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
28
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
29
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
30
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
31
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
32
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
For this approximately 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Kingsport comfortably. The longest stretch without a break is over 200 miles on I 40, so plan for a fuel and rest stop around that point. Since the total duration is manageable for a single day, you have flexibility in your departure time and pace. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach larger interchanges, and ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on the longer highway segments.
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 140.7 miles from Millersville, TN, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200.1 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 62 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.7 miles or 2h 41m 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 20m
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 Millersville, 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 Millersville, TN
This is one driving day of about 281.5 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Millersville, 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 200.1 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 4.3 and 268.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward Rivergate Parkway, Goodlettsville, Hendersonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 96
Toward Rivergate Parkway, Goodlettsville, Hende...
9
4.5 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Rivergate Parkway, Hendersonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Rivergate Parkway, Hendersonville
6
17.5 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
6
181.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
268.6 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
$41.57 one way
$83.14 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.89
$91.79
premium
$4.72
$52.27
$104.53
diesel
$4.80
$53.15
$106.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 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
84.5
1
$29.56
$13.51
Efficient EV
70.4
0
$24.63
$11.26
EV Truck/SUV
112.6
1
$39.41
$18.02
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 19, 2026
Origin
Millersville, TN
Late night
in Millersville on Monday
Local time
1:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 5 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 3:26PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 19 at 3:10PM CDT until July 19 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Monday
Local time
2:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 5 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 3:26PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 19 at 3:10PM CDT until July 19 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
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
5 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
5h 19m 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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 29.1
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 203.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 92% of your time on the highway, covering a significant 200.1 miles on I 40 before transitioning to other main roads. This means extended periods of cruising, likely with a steady flow of traffic and numerous exits. Expect a mostly highway profile, so transitions to surface roads like Old Hickory Boulevard will be noticeable when they occur.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 4.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 281.5 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 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 281.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 200.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
