Origin
Oliver Springs, TN
Late night in Oliver Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oliver Springs, TN to Kingsport, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
126.1 mi
203 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oliver Springs, TN
Sıla Onorevole
Trip Overview
Oliver Springs, TN to Kingsport, TN is 126.1 miles and takes about 2h 26m via I 81, I 40, and Pellissippi Parkway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving you through the Southeast region. It’s a predominantly highway-focused trip, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. The total journey is manageable for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63 miles from Oliver Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 50.5 mi | 54m |
| I 40 | 44.4 mi | 49m |
| Pellissippi Parkway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Oak Ridge Highway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| South Wilcox Drive | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| East Tri County Boulevard | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| North Illinois Avenue | 3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 50.5 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oliver Springs, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on Winter Gap Road
39 ft
·
3 sec
·
Winter Gap Road
2
Turn right onto Kingston Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Kingston Avenue
3
Turn right onto SR 330
162 ft
·
3 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
4
Continue on SR 330
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
6
Merge onto SR 61; SR 62
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East Tri County Boulevard
7
Continue on TN 62
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
North Illinois Avenue
8
Continue on SR 62
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Oak Ridge Highway
9
Turn straight onto SR 162
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pellissippi Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 40, I 75: Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 40 East, I 75 North: Knoxville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 40; I 75
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40; I 75
Use the straight / 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 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
16
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft
·
14 sec
Exit 50
Toward 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
Given the drive's duration of under 2.5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning or early afternoon allows ample daylight to complete the 126.1 miles. With a fuel cost estimated around $20, keep an eye on your gauge, especially before embarking on the 50.5-mile stretch on I 81. There are no mandated stops in the data, so you can choose to take breaks as needed, perhaps at a rest area along I 81 or I 40.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 63 miles from Oliver Springs, TN, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.5 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Oliver Springs, 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 Oliver Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 126.1 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Oliver Springs, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 50.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63 miles from Oliver Springs, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 16.9 and 113.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.9 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East, I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East, I 75 North: Knoxville
6
25.8 mi into trip
|
~32m 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
62.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m 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
6
113 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
113.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m 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
$19.71 one way
$39.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.65 | $43.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.27 | $48.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.84 | $55.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.24 | $6.05 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.65 | $8.07 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
2h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this route, with 83% of your journey on interstates. You’ll encounter stretches on I 40 and I 81, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch on this drive is 50.5 miles on I 81, providing a period of steady travel. While the route is primarily highway, you will also navigate Pellissippi Parkway. This mix means you’ll experience the efficiency of major interstates interspersed with other Parkway-style roads.
83% 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: 50.5 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 126.1 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oliver Springs, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga and Fall Branch.
Knoxville
16.7 mi in
|
~20m
Chattanooga
16.7 mi in
|
~20m
Fall Branch
113 mi in
|
~2h 7m
About the Cities
Arriving in Kingsport, TN
Full guide →Kingsport (pop. 48,205) is a city in Eastern Tennessee.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 126.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.5 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kingsport, TN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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