Shelbyville, TN to Kingsport, TN is 276.2 miles and takes about 5h 32m via I 40 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically Tennessee, making it a convenient option for those looking to explore within the state. It's a straightforward trip, mostly following major highways, designed for efficient travel. With a recommended one-day duration, you can expect a relatively smooth journey from your starting point to your destination.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
138.1 miles from Shelbyville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
101.2 mi
1h 52m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Crossville Highway
20.9 mi
31m
Sparta Highway
14.9 mi
18m
McMinnville Highway
10.9 mi
13m
Manchester Highway
8.4 mi
9m
New Tullahoma Highway
8.3 mi
11m
US 41A
8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 101.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelbyville, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on Public Square North
223 ft·11 sec·Public Square North
2
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·North Spring Street
3
Turn right onto SR 64; SR 130
355 ft·7 sec·Lane Parkway
4
Continue on SR 64; SR 82; SR 130
478 ft·8 sec·East Lane Street
5
Continue on SR 64; SR 82; SR 130
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Jefferson Street
6
Turn left onto SR 64; SR 130
1.0 mi·1 min·East Depot Street
7
Continue on SR 64
0.8 mi·1 min·Wartrace Pike
8
Continue on SR 64
1.5 mi·2 min·East Depot Street
9
Turn right onto US 41A
6.2 mi·7 min·Madison Street
10
Continue on UA 41A
0.3 mi·19 sec·UA 41A
11
Merge onto US 41A
8.0 mi·9 min·US 41A
12
Turn left onto SR 55
0.8 mi·57 sec·West Carroll Street
13
Turn slight right onto SR 55
8.3 mi·11 min·New Tullahoma Highway
14
Continue on SR 55
2.1 mi·4 min·McArthur Street
15
Continue on SR 55
11 mi·13 min·McMinnville Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on SR 55
8.4 mi·9 min·Manchester Highway
17
Continue on SR 55
4.1 mi·4 min·H T Pelham Memorial Parkway
18
Continue on US 70S
3.5 mi·4 min·Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway
19
Continue on US 70S
0.5 mi·34 sec·Sparta Street
20
Continue on US 70S
9.9 mi·11 min·Sparta Highway
21
Continue on US 70S
2.9 mi·3 min·Bone Cave Parkway
22
Continue on US 70S
7.6 mi·8 min·Memorial Highway
23
Merge onto US 70S; SR 111
2.8 mi·3 min·Spencer Highway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
25
Keep slight right at fork
268 ft·7 sec
26
Turn straight onto TN 1
0.9 mi·1 min·Mayberry Street
27
Turn right onto US 70
0.8 mi·1 min·West Bockman Way
28
Continue on US 70
21 mi·31 min·Crossville Highway
29
Continue on US 70
4.9 mi·7 min·Sparta Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
30
Continue on Elmore Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Elmore Road
31
Turn right onto US 127
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
32
Turn left onto SR 298
2.1 mi·3 min·Genesis Road
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
34
Merge onto I 40
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
38
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
39
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
40
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
41
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
42
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
43
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
44
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
45
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
46
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
47
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
48
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
49
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
50
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
51
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 32m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Shelbyville, TN, before mid-morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Kingsport with ample daylight. The route is manageable for a single day, so you don't need to plan for an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, you can decide to break up the journey at your leisure, perhaps halfway through the 101.2-mile stretch on I 40. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $43, and plan your refueling stops accordingly along the major highways.
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 138.1 miles from Shelbyville, TN, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.2 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 61 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.1 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
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 Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, TN
This is one driving day of about 276.2 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Shelbyville, 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 40 for about 101.2 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 263.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 64; SR 130 / Lane Parkway
Turn right onto SR 64; SR 130 / Lane Parkway
Navigation decision point
6
175.9 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
212.6 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
263.1 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
263.3 mi into trip|~5h 14m 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
$43.18 one way
$86.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.41
$94.82
premium
$4.89
$53.15
$106.30
diesel
$5.61
$60.98
$121.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.9
1
$29.00
$13.26
Efficient EV
69.1
0
$24.17
$11.05
EV Truck/SUV
110.5
1
$38.67
$17.68
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 18, 2026
Origin
Shelbyville, TN
Late night
in Shelbyville on Sunday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 to 15 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Morning
in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 0 to 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
138 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
5h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 200
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 40 and I 81. You'll experience a significant stretch of 101.2 miles on I 40 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. While much of the journey involves higher speeds on these main roads, you'll also navigate sections of Crossville Highway, which may offer a slight change of scenery and pace. Expect a driving profile that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.2 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 0.1 miles in near SR 64; SR 130 / Lane Parkway.
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 24 significant decision points across 276.2 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 (SR 64; SR 130 / Lane Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 175.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 276.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.2 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 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 0.1 miles (SR 64; SR 130 / Lane Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 175.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
