White Bluff, TN to Kingsport, TN is 306.7 miles and takes about 5h 46m via I 40 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, connecting the Southeast region from west to east. You'll be on highways for most of the trip, making it a straightforward point-to-point route. It's a solid option if you need to get across the state efficiently, with most of the driving on major interstates.
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
153.4 miles from White Bluff, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
225.3 mi
4h 6m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
US Highway 70
8.8 mi
13m
Broadway Street
4.3 mi
6m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 225.3 mi, about 4h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between White Bluff, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on US 70
4.3 mi·6 min·Broadway Street
2
Continue on US 70
8.8 mi·13 min·US Highway 70
3
Turn right onto Mc Crory Lane
0.8 mi·1 min·Mc Crory Lane
4
Continue on McCrory Lane
0.5 mi·1 min·McCrory Lane
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 40 East: Nashville
6
Merge onto I 40
15 mi·16 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
14
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
15
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
16
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
17
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
18
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
19
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
20
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
22
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
23
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
24
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
25
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
26
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
27
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 46 minute estimated drive time, leaving White Bluff in the morning should allow you to reach Kingsport well before evening. The longest stretch without a major road change is 225.3 miles on I 40, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before you embark on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, it’s wise to start with a full tank. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time and any brief stops you might need along the way.
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 153.4 miles from White Bluff, TN, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.3 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 67 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.4 miles or 2h 54m 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 42m
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 White Bluff, 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 White Bluff, TN
This is one driving day of about 306.7 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from White Bluff, 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 225.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 293.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
29.4 mi into trip|~38m 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
32.6 mi into trip|~43m 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...
6
206.4 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
243.2 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
293.9 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
$45.29 one way
$90.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$50.00
$100.00
premium
$4.72
$56.94
$113.89
diesel
$4.80
$57.91
$115.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.20
$14.72
Efficient EV
76.7
0
$26.84
$12.27
EV Truck/SUV
122.7
1
$42.94
$19.63
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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
White Bluff, TN
Late night
in White Bluff on Monday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 5 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:09PM CDT until July 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:09PM CDT until July 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Nashville 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
6 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 46m 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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 52.9
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 232.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with a 94% highway share. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 40, including a long stretch of 225.3 miles, before transitioning to I 81. Expect a relatively continuous cruising experience with frequent exits for services. The drive will feel like a consistent interstate cruise until the final section where you transition to US Highway 70.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.3 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 29.4 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 17 significant decision points across 306.7 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 29.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,972 ft515 ft
Total Climb
1,994 ft
Total Descent
1,610 ft
Highest Point
1,972 ft
~131.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,456 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between White Bluff, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 306.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m 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 225.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 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.
