If you are planning a trip from Mount Carmel to Kingsport, expect a journey covering 394.8 miles. This drive typically takes about 6 hours and 1 minute to complete, making it a manageable day trip for most drivers. You will primarily navigate via Mount Carmel Access, Mt Carmel Road, and Middleburg Road throughout your transit. Budget roughly $59 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you will remain in a familiar geographic area for the duration of the trip. Plan for one designated stop to keep your energy levels up and ensure a smooth experience behind the wheel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.4 miles from Mount Carmel, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
291.9 mi
5h 18m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
US 641
18.6 mi
21m
Mt Carmel Road
9.1 mi
25m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
TN 100
3.5 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 291.9 mi, about 5h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Carmel, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on Mt Carmel Road
2.3 mi·8 min·Mt Carmel Road
2
Keep slight right at fork onto Mount Carmel Access
526 ft·23 sec·Mount Carmel Access
3
Continue on 1758
6.8 mi·16 min·Mt Carmel Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto TN 100
3.5 mi·6 min·TN 100
5
Turn right onto Middleburg Road
0.5 mi·53 sec·Middleburg Road
6
Turn right onto US 641
19 mi·21 min·US 641
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
8
Merge onto I 40
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight 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
For the best experience, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the 6-hour drive time while maintaining daylight visibility. Since you only have one planned stop for this 394.8-mile trek, choose a location mid-way to stretch your legs and reset your focus before finishing the final leg. Given that this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your vehicle is in good condition to handle the constant maneuvering through the local road network. With a total fuel cost of $59, it is wise to keep an eye on your tank, especially when navigating the smaller roads where service stations may be less frequent. Embracing the flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your pace as needed based on local road conditions.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195.4 miles from Mount Carmel, TN, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 291.9 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 86 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.4 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
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 Mount Carmel, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Carmel, TN
This is one driving day of about 390.7 miles and 7h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Mount Carmel, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 291.9 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 113.4 and 377.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
113.4 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
116.6 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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...
6
290.4 mi into trip|~5h 36m 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
327.1 mi into trip|~6h 17m 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
8
377.9 mi into trip|~7h 12m 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
$61.08 one way
$122.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$67.07
$134.13
premium
$4.89
$75.19
$150.37
diesel
$5.61
$86.26
$172.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.2
1
$41.02
$18.75
Efficient EV
97.7
1
$34.19
$15.63
EV Truck/SUV
156.3
1
$54.70
$25.00
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Mount Carmel, TN
Night
in Mount Carmel on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
195 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
4 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
7h 30m 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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 134.7
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
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 309.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that feels quite different from a standard interstate cruise. Because this route features 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 6-hour duration on local roads, requiring your full attention at the wheel. The personality of this drive is dictated by its technical nature rather than high-speed stretches, so expect to navigate constant turns rather than long, straightaways. This consistent engagement makes the journey feel active, as you transition between the various local road segments. Keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your pace will be dictated by local traffic and road geometry rather than open-road cruising.
94% 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: 291.9 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 113.4 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 20 significant decision points across 390.7 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 113.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Carmel, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 30m. Total distance: 390.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 291.9 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 113.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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.
