Spanning 402.2 miles across Tennessee, this cross-state journey connects Savannah to Kingsport in approximately 7 hours and 39 minutes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, making this a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is manageable as a single-day trip for most drivers. With an estimated fuel cost of $61, it is a relatively predictable trek through the heart of the Southeast. While you could technically push through in one go, planning for two scheduled stops will help keep you alert. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this route offers a reliable path across the state without the unpredictability of backroads.
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
201.1 miles from Savannah, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.8 mi
3h 23m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
45 mi
48m
Wayne Road
31.1 mi
35m
Lawrenceburg Highway
30.3 mi
34m
United States Route 64
14.4 mi
16m
I 65
12.1 mi
12m
TN 240
10 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.8 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Savannah, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on Guinn Street
312 ft·19 sec·Guinn Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Water Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Water Street
3
Turn left onto TN 128
344 ft·12 sec·Pickwick Street South
4
Turn right onto US 64; SR 69; SR 128
0.1 mi·20 sec·Main Street
5
Continue on US 64; SR 128
31 mi·35 min·Wayne Road
6
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·52 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
7
Continue on US 64
14 mi·16 min·United States Route 64
8
Turn left onto SR 240
4.9 mi·8 min·SR 240
9
Turn straight onto TN 240
10 mi·17 min·TN 240
10
Continue on SR 20; SR 240
1.3 mi·1 min·SR 20; SR 240
11
Turn straight onto TN 20
0.7 mi·1 min·TN 20
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 43
30 mi·34 min·Lawrenceburg Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
14
Merge onto I 65
12 mi·12 min·I 65
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 59A-BToward I 840: Memphis, KnoxvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
Exit 59AToward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
17
Merge onto I 840
45 mi·48 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 76AToward I 40 East: Knoxville, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 40
149 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
23
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
24
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
25
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
26
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
27
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
28
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
29
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
31
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
32
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
33
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
34
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
35
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
36
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
To tackle this 402.2-mile drive comfortably, aim to depart early in the morning to beat potential traffic clusters along the interstate corridors. Since you have a 7-hour and 39-minute travel time, pacing yourself with two planned stops is essential to maintain your energy levels. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 185.8-mile stretch on I-40, as you will want to avoid unnecessary detours for gas when you are making good time. Because the route is highway-focused, stay alert for changing speed limits and heavy truck traffic common on I-81. Flexibility is your best asset here; if you find the distance fatiguing, look for mid-way points to stretch your legs and reset before the final push to Kingsport.
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 201.1 miles from Savannah, TN, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.8 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 88 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.1 miles or 3h 55m 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 29m
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 Savannah, 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 Savannah, TN
This is one driving day of about 402.2 miles and 7h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Savannah, 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 185.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 389.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Water Street
At end of road, turn left onto Water Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
106.3 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59A-B
Toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
7
106.5 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59A
Toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
9
152.1 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
8
389.4 mi into trip|~7h 20m 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
$62.88 one way
$125.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$69.04
$138.08
premium
$4.89
$77.40
$154.80
diesel
$5.61
$88.80
$177.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.7
1
$42.23
$19.31
Efficient EV
100.6
1
$35.19
$16.09
EV Truck/SUV
160.9
2
$56.31
$25.74
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% 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
Savannah, TN
Evening
in Savannah on Saturday
Local time
8:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Night
in Kingsport on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
201 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
3 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 39m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed interstate travel, with 82% of your journey occurring on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-40 and I-81, with the Tennessee National Guard Parkway playing a role in your navigation. The most notable segment is the 185.8-mile stretch along I-40, which requires steady focus and patience. Because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, you can anticipate consistent road conditions, though the character of the drive remains functional rather than leisurely. It is a classic interstate grind that prioritizes efficiency and speed over winding, scenic detours.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.1 miles in near Water Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 402.2 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 0.1 miles (Water Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 106.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Savannah, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro and Lebanon.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 39m. Total distance: 402.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.8 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 0.1 miles (Water Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 106.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 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.
