Origin
Winchester, TN
Late night in Winchester on Sunday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Winchester, TN to Kingsport, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
268.8 mi
433 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 57m
★
6 AM
5h 11m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Winchester, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from Winchester, TN, to Kingsport, TN, covers 268.8 miles and takes approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. This drive is best suited for a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. You'll primarily be on major interstates, with about 90% of the journey on highways, including I-75 and I-81. Budget around $42 for fuel for this journey. The overall feel is a straightforward highway-focused drive through the Southeast region of Tennessee. Consider this a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
134.4 miles from Winchester, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 99.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 24 | 50.5 mi | 58m |
| I 81 | 50.5 mi | 54m |
| I 40 | 36.7 mi | 40m |
| Sewanee Highway | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| South Wilcox Drive | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Cowan Highway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winchester, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on US 41A
75 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto US 41A; US 64 Business; SR 50
243 ft
·
5 sec
·
1st Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto US 41A; US 64 Business
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South College Street
4
Continue on US 41A; US 64 Business
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Cowan Highway
5
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Cumberland Street West
6
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Sewanee Highway
7
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sollace M Freeman Highway
8
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sewanee Highway
9
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
David Crockett Highway
10
Continue on US 41A
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
12
Merge onto I 24; US 64
51 mi
·
58 min
·
I 24;US 64
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 75
99 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
18
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft
·
14 sec
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
19
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
SR 93
20
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
TN 93
21
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Sullivan Gardens Drive
22
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Wilcox Drive
23
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
24
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Sullivan Street
26
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
27
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Broad Street
28
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
29
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft
·
19 sec
·
Broad Street
30
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Center Street
31
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 10-minute drive, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Kingsport with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps midway to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a major break is over 99 miles on I-75, so be mindful of that when planning your stops. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is advisable, especially as you near the 99-mile mark between services. The relatively short duration makes it easy to manage in a single day without feeling rushed.
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 134.4 miles from Winchester, TN, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 59 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.4 miles or 2h 39m 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 14m
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 Winchester, 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 Winchester, TN
This is one driving day of about 268.8 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Winchester, 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 75 for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.4 miles from Winchester, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 68.5 and 256 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
68.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
6
168.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m 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
205.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m 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
255.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m 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
256 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m 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
$42.02 one way
$84.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.14 | $92.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.73 | $103.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.35 | $118.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.22 | $12.90 |
| Efficient EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.52 | $10.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.5 | 1 | $37.63 | $17.20 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Late night in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
4:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Athens, TN
134 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
1 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
5h 10m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route predominantly features highway driving, with a 90% highway share. Expect long stretches of interstate travel, including a notable 99.2-mile segment on I-75. The character of the drive is largely consistent, focusing on covering ground quickly rather than winding scenic byways. While you'll spend most of your time on major interstates like I-24 and I-81, it's a predictable and efficient path. The journey offers a straightforward driving experience with minimal navigational complexity, allowing you to settle into a rhythm.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 268.8 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 68.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Winchester, TN
Full guide →Winchester is a city in Franklin County, Tennessee.
Arriving in Kingsport, TN
Full guide →Kingsport (pop. 48,205) is a city in Eastern Tennessee.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 268.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on I 75. 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 68.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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