Smyrna, TN to Kingston, TN is 259 miles and takes about 4h 58m via I 40 and US 641, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, so it's a good choice if you prefer minimizing complex navigation.
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
129.5 miles from Smyrna, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
223.1 mi
4h 1m
US 641
13.8 mi
15m
Broadway of America
5.4 mi
8m
SR 114
4.1 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi
6m
Broad Street
2.4 mi
3m
Smyrna Road
2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 223.1 mi, about 4h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, TN and Kingston, TN.
1
Start on Buck Ditch Road
58 ft·4 sec·Buck Ditch Road
2
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2.0 mi·7 min·Smyrna Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi·6 min·Buena Vista Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 114
4.1 mi·7 min·SR 114
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; SR 114
2.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
6
Continue on US 70
5.4 mi·8 min·Broadway of America
7
Turn right onto US 70
1.6 mi·2 min·US 70
8
Turn right onto US 641
14 mi·15 min·US 641
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
10
Merge onto I 40
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
142 mi·2 hr 34 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Primary SR 58 South: Kingston
16
Turn left onto SR 58
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Kentucky Street
17
Continue on North Kentucky Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·North Kentucky Street
18
Arrive at destination
SR 58
Trip Plan
For this single-day trip, leaving in the morning is recommended to take advantage of daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With a total duration of under 5 hours, you can comfortably complete the drive without needing to split it. The longest stretch is over 200 miles on I 40, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or before you get too low. The fuel cost estimate is around $40, so keep that in mind when budgeting. Since it's a relatively short and direct route, you have flexibility to depart at your convenience.
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 129.5 miles from Smyrna, TN, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.1 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 57 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.5 miles or 2h 37m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingston, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Smyrna, 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 Smyrna, TN
This is one driving day of about 259 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Smyrna, 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 223.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 116.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.5 mi into trip|~14m in|SR 114
At end of road, turn left onto SR 114
Navigation decision point
5
8.6 mi into trip|~21m in|US 70; SR 114 / Broad Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; SR 114 / Broad Street
Navigation decision point
5
32.1 mi into trip|~51m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
113.4 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
116.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.16 one way
$80.31 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$44.03
$88.06
premium
$4.93
$50.25
$100.50
diesel
$5.60
$57.09
$114.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.7
0
$27.20
$12.43
Efficient EV
64.8
0
$22.66
$10.36
EV Truck/SUV
103.6
1
$36.26
$16.58
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Aug 11, 2026
Origin
Smyrna, TN
Late night
in Smyrna on Wednesday
Local time
12:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
WSW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 11 at 5:50PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 11 at 5:46PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Kingston, TN
Late night
in Kingston on Wednesday
Local time
1:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 11 at 5:50PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 11 at 5:46PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
23 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
4h 58m 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.
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 134
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 94% of the driving on major roads like I 40. You'll experience a long stretch of 223.1 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads like US 641. Expect numerous exits and services along the I 40 portion, typical of a busy interstate. The final miles will be on US 641, offering a different driving feel as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near SR 114.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 259 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (SR 114): Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (US 70; SR 114 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 32.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,830 ft416 ft
Total Climb
1,970 ft
Total Descent
1,725 ft
Highest Point
1,830 ft
~203.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,414 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smyrna, TN and Kingston, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Kingston is a city in Tennessee. This seat of Roane County was a frontier town back in 1792 centered around Fort Southwest Point. In 1807, it was actually the Tennessee state capital for a day, too, before the Tennessee General Assembly reconvened in Nashville. It had some Union sentiments during the Civil War.
In 2008, a nasty impoundment of fly ash slurry from the Kingston Fossil Plant (coal) broke open, leaching pollution everywhere. People today often recognize Kingston by the two tall smokestacks of the Kingston Steam Plant when driving by on I-40.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 259 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223.1 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 Kingston, 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 4.5 miles (SR 114): Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (US 70; SR 114 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 32.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Kingston, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
