This 431.5-mile journey from Union City, TN to Kingsport, TN spans an estimated 8 hours and 20 minutes of driving time. Given the duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to allow for comfortable pacing and rest. The primary highways guiding you are I-40, I-24, and I-81, making up about 76% of the drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $67, this route is a straightforward, highway-focused option for traversing Tennessee. You'll experience a consistent driving profile with two recommended stops, allowing you to break up the longest stretch of 129.9 miles on I-40.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
215.8 miles from Union City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
129.9 mi
2h 23m
I 24
119 mi
2h 9m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Main Street
28.1 mi
34m
Austin Peay Memorial Highway
25.1 mi
28m
Paris Highway
23.3 mi
34m
TN 22
19.9 mi
22m
Ashland City Road
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on East Church Street
74 ft·7 sec·East Church Street
2
Turn right onto TN 5; TN 21
0.1 mi·20 sec·South 1st Street
3
Continue on SR 21
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
4
Turn straight onto SR 214
1.9 mi·3 min·Nailling Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward TN 22 South
6
Merge onto TN 22
15 mi·16 min·TN 22
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 22
4.7 mi·6 min·TN 22
Toward TN 22 South: Dresden
8
Turn left onto SR 239
1.3 mi·2 min·Pikeview Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto TN 54; TN 89
0.4 mi·35 sec·Pikeview Street
10
Turn right onto TN 54; TN 89
2.2 mi·3 min·West Main Street
11
Continue on TN 54; TN 217
23 mi·34 min·Paris Highway
12
Continue on US 79
25 mi·27 min·Austin Peay Memorial Highway
13
Continue on US 79
0.2 mi·11 sec·Fort Donelson Parkway
14
Continue on US 79
0.6 mi·37 sec·Austin Peay Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 79
0.5 mi·36 sec·Lake Highway
16
Continue on US 79
1.7 mi·1 min·Donelson Parkway
17
Continue on US 79
28 mi·34 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 41A; US 79
0.1 mi·13 sec·Fort Campbell Boulevard
19
Continue on US 41A; US 79
1.6 mi·2 min·Providence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 41A; US 79
340 ft·7 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto US 41A Bypass
2.4 mi·4 min·North Riverside Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 41A Bypass
5.6 mi·6 min·Ashland City Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on TN 76
3.1 mi·3 min·TN 76
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
25
Merge onto I 24
33 mi·35 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·I 24
Exit 44AToward I 24 East, I 65 South: NashvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Continue on I 24
2.8 mi·3 min·I 24
Exit 86Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, KnoxvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 24
Exit 50AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left lane.
29
Continue on I 40
93 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
33
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
34
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
35
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
36
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
37
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
38
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
39
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
40
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
41
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
42
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
43
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
44
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
45
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
46
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour and 20-minute drive, splitting it into two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours and get a significant portion of the 431.5 miles completed. Plan your two stops strategically to break up the journey, especially considering the 129.9-mile stretch on I-40. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $67, and ensure you're aware of service area availability along the I-40, I-24, and I-81 corridors.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 215.8 miles from Union City, TN, or about 4h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 95 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 215.8 miles or 4h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 215.8 miles or 4h 20m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 11m
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 Union City, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Union City, TN
Aim for roughly 216 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Kingsport, TN
Aim for roughly 216 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Union City, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 129.9 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 152.4 and 418.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
152.4 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
9
157.5 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 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 lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
331.2 mi into trip|~6h 26m 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
367.9 mi into trip|~7h 7m 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
418.7 mi into trip|~8h 2m 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
$63.72 one way
$127.45 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg151 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$70.35
$140.70
premium
$4.72
$80.12
$160.23
diesel
$4.80
$81.48
$162.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$194–$304
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 151 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
129.5
1
$45.31
$20.71
Efficient EV
107.9
1
$37.76
$17.26
EV Truck/SUV
172.6
2
$60.41
$27.62
Gas CO2
151 kg
EV CO2
50 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Union City, TN
Evening
in Union City on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 7:17PM CDT until July 16 at 9:15PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Night
in Kingsport on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 7:17PM CDT until July 16 at 9:15PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
85°F
Lafayette, TN
216 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
8h 20m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 178.6
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 357.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 431.5-mile trip, with 76% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-40, I-24, and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 129.9 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This profile suggests a generally smooth and predictable driving experience, characteristic of long-distance interstate travel. While primarily interstate, the journey does involve transitions between these major arteries, offering some variation in the immediate surroundings as you navigate through Tennessee.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 152.4 miles in near I 24.
Driving Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 431.5 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 152.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.5 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 331.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,797 ft337 ft
Total Climb
2,144 ft
Total Descent
1,272 ft
Highest Point
1,797 ft
~246.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,460 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union City, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Knoxville
154.7 mi in|~3h 13m|via I 24
Chattanooga
157.5 mi in|~3h 17m|via I 24
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
The longest stretch is about 129.9 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 216 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 152.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.5 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 331.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 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.
