This 206.4-mile drive from Red Bank, TN to Kingsport, TN will take you approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 91% of the journey on major interstates, including I-75, I-81, and I-40. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a leg of a larger journey within the Southeast region. You'll experience a straightforward drive, ideal for those who prefer covering distance efficiently. Planning for one stop along the way is recommended to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
103.2 miles from Red Bank, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
72.2 mi
1h 18m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
I 40
36.7 mi
40m
US 11
21.7 mi
24m
Bonny Oaks Drive
4.2 mi
7m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
TN 153
3.2 mi
4m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 72.2 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Bank, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on Euclid Avenue West
88 ft·6 sec·Euclid Avenue West
2
Turn left onto Dayton Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Dayton Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Ashland Terrace
1.8 mi·4 min·Ashland Terrace
4
At end of road, turn left onto Hixson Pike
0.2 mi·19 sec·Hixson Pike
5
Turn right
424 ft·8 sec
6
Turn straight onto North Access Road
1.6 mi·2 min·North Access Road
7
Enter roundabout
200 ft·3 sec
8
Continue
0.2 mi·40 sec
9
Merge onto TN 153
3.2 mi·4 min·TN 153
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 4AToward SR 317 EastUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto SR 317
4.2 mi·7 min·Bonny Oaks Drive
12
Take the ramp onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 11; US 64; SR 317
Use the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
21 mi·23 min·US 11; US 64; SR 317
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 75
72 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 75
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
18
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
19
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
20
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
21
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
22
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
23
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
24
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
26
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
27
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
28
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
29
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
30
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
31
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 59-minute duration, this drive is best tackled as a single-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic in larger towns. With only one recommended stop, flexibility is key; choose a rest area or a simple service plaza that suits your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the 72.2-mile stretch on I-75, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $32 makes this an economical choice, so budget accordingly.
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 103.2 miles from Red Bank, TN, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.2 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
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 Red Bank, 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 Red Bank, TN
This is one driving day of about 206.4 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Red Bank, 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 75 for about 72.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.9 and 193.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.9 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward SR 317 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward SR 317 East
6
12.6 mi into trip|~23m in|US 11; US 64; SR 317
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
106.1 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
193.6 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
$32.27 one way
$64.54 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.43
$70.86
premium
$4.89
$39.72
$79.44
diesel
$5.61
$45.57
$91.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.9
0
$21.67
$9.91
Efficient EV
51.6
0
$18.06
$8.26
EV Truck/SUV
82.6
1
$28.90
$13.21
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Red Bank, TN
Afternoon
in Red Bank on Sunday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Afternoon
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive 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
9 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
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
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 128.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with over 90% of your travel occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 72.2 miles on I-75, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While the route is largely characterized by efficient travel on major roads like I-75, I-81, and I-40, the overall feel is one of consistent forward momentum rather than winding scenic byways. This drive is about getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.9 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 19 significant decision points across 206.4 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 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (US 11; US 64; SR 317): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.1 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.
On the drive from Red Bank, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 206.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.2 miles on I 75. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (US 11; US 64; SR 317): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Kingsport, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
