Oakland, TN to Kingsport, TN is 459.8 miles and takes about 8h 30m via I 40 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $72 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving across the Southeast region. Given the 96% highway share, expect a fairly straightforward drive with minimal city traffic. It's recommended to split this drive over two days to allow for a more relaxed pace and to make the most of your time on the road. You'll be covering a significant distance, so planning your overnight stop will be key.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
229.9 miles from Oakland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
382.4 mi
6h 55m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Church Street
6.7 mi
11m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
TN 59
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 382.4 mi, about 6h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on SR 194
6.7 mi·11 min·Church Street
2
Continue on TN 194
1.6 mi·2 min·TN 194
3
At end of road, turn left onto TN 59
2.2 mi·3 min·TN 59
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
172 mi·3 hr 4 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
13
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
14
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
15
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
16
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
17
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
18
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
19
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
21
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
22
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
23
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
24
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
25
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
26
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
For this 8.5-hour drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight. With 459.8 miles to cover, splitting the trip over two days is advisable, making your longest stretch around 382.4 miles on I 40. Aim for a stop midway to break up the drive comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long highway segments, as services can be spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $72, so budget accordingly.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 229.9 miles from Oakland, TN, or about 4h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 382.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 101 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 229.9 miles or 4h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 229.9 miles or 4h 15m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 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 Oakland, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oakland, TN
Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Kingsport, TN
Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Oakland, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 382.4 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 182.5 and 447 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
182.5 mi into trip|~3h 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
185.7 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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
359.5 mi into trip|~6h 37m 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
396.3 mi into trip|~7h 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
447 mi into trip|~8h 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
$71.88 one way
$143.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg161 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$78.93
$157.85
premium
$4.89
$88.48
$176.97
diesel
$5.61
$101.52
$203.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 160.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
137.9
1
$48.28
$22.07
Efficient EV
115
1
$40.23
$18.39
EV Truck/SUV
183.9
2
$64.37
$29.43
Gas CO2
161 kg
EV CO2
54 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
Oakland, TN
Afternoon
in Oakland on Sunday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Afternoon
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
4:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
230 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8h 30m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 206.1
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 380.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly highway, with 96% of the drive on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 382.4 miles on I 40, which means you'll be in cruising mode for a considerable time. After this, you'll transition to I 81 and then Church Street for the final segment. Expect a high volume of exits and interchanges along the highway portions, requiring your attention as you navigate.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 382.4 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 182.5 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 459.8 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 182.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.5 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 Oakland, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
The longest stretch is about 382.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 230 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 53 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 53 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 182.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.5 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 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.0 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.
