Obion, TN to Johnson City, TN is 474.9 miles and takes about 8h 46m via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight stop is recommended. This route stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward drive. If you're looking for an efficient way to get across the state, this is a solid option that prioritizes speed and directness.
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
237.5 miles from Obion, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
210.5 mi
3h 50m
US 412
163 mi
3h
I 81
56.6 mi
1h
US 51
24.7 mi
27m
James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi
16m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
West Palestine Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Elbridge-Obion Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 210.5 mi, about 3h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Obion, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on this road
88 ft·12 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
257 ft·13 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto 8th Street
401 ft·23 sec·8th Street
4
Turn left onto SR 183
0.9 mi·1 min·West Palestine Avenue
5
Continue on SR 183
0.5 mi·1 min·Elbridge-Obion Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 51 South: Dyersburg
7
Merge onto US 51
16 mi·17 min·US 51
8
Take the exit onto US 51
8.8 mi·10 min·US 51
Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
9
Continue on US 412
5.7 mi·6 min·US 412
10
Continue on US 412
29 mi·34 min·US 412
11
Turn left onto US 412
128 mi·2 hr 18 min·US 412
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: NashvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
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
57 mi·1 hr·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 57AToward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
19
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi·16 min·James H. Quillen Parkway
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 23Toward TN 91
21
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Market Street
22
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn right
433 ft·31 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 46m estimated drive time, splitting this into two days is a good idea for a more relaxed pace. Consider stopping around the halfway point to break up the 474.9 miles. While the fuel cost is estimated at $74, keep an eye on prices as you travel. With two recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a major change in direction is 210.5 miles on I-40, so plan your breaks 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 237.5 miles from Obion, TN, or about 4h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.5 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 104 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 237.5 miles or 4h 25m 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 237.5 miles or 4h 25m
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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson City, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Obion, 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 Obion, TN
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Johnson City, TN
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Obion, 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 210.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 366.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412 toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
9
189.5 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
192.7 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
366.5 mi into trip|~6h 46m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.22 one way
$158.44 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg166 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$86.10
$172.20
premium
$5.26
$98.33
$196.65
diesel
$6.18
$115.53
$231.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 166.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.5
1
$49.86
$22.80
Efficient EV
118.7
1
$41.55
$19.00
EV Truck/SUV
190
2
$66.49
$30.39
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
56 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Obion, TN
Morning
in Obion on Saturday
Local time
10:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Morning
in Johnson City on Saturday
Local time
11:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Rain Showers
NW 10 mph77% chanceLive forecast
46°F
Lafayette, TN
237 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
1 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 46m 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 212.9
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 393
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway driving, with a 99% highway share. You'll experience a consistent stretch of 210.5 miles on I-40 before transitioning to other major routes like I-81. Expect a high density of exits and merging traffic as you navigate these interstates. The profile is mostly highway, so plan for steady cruising with minimal time on surface roads.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 210.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 412. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 474.9 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: near the start (Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 61.1 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,778 ft290 ft
Total Climb
2,218 ft
Total Descent
880 ft
Highest Point
1,778 ft
~305.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,488 ft
Notable High Points
1,778 ft at ~305.3 miles+685 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Obion, TN and Johnson City, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
The longest stretch is about 210.5 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 237 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 Johnson City, 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: near the start (Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 61.1 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.5 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 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Johnson City, TN before the return drive.
