Origin
Ardmore, TN
Evening in Ardmore on Sunday
Local time
5:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ardmore, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
6h 31m
Distance
338.2 mi
544 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 19m
★
6 AM
6h 31m
8 AM
6h 56m
10 AM
6h 40m
12 PM
6h 37m
3 PM
6h 41m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ardmore, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ardmore to Johnson City spans 338.2 miles across Tennessee, typically requiring about 6 hours and 31 minutes of drive time. Because this route is primarily highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day. Budgeting approximately $51 for fuel should cover your transit across the state. You will rely heavily on I-75, US-72, and I-81 to navigate from the southern border toward the northeast. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this direct path is efficient and straightforward for those looking to cross the state in one go.
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
169.1 miles from Ardmore, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 97% of your journey takes place on major highways. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the interstate, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 99.2 miles along I-75. The experience is largely a highway-focused drive, moving away from local roads to prioritize speed and connectivity. While the transition between I-75 and I-81 keeps you moving, the consistent road quality allows for a predictable pace behind the wheel. Prepare for a focused, efficient drive that minimizes stop-and-go traffic in favor of consistent interstate cruising.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.5 miles in near US 72.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 338.2 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 25.5 miles (US 72): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
25.5 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 72
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 toward US 72 East: Scottsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward US 72 East: Scottsboro
8
129.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m 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
229.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
266.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m 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
323.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, As...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 99.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| US 72 | 72.6 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| I 40 | 36.7 mi | 40m |
| I 24 | 33.1 mi | 38m |
| AL 53 | 16.9 mi | 23m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| Main Street | 3.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ardmore, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on TN 7
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Main Street
Use the none lane.
2
Continue on AL 53
17 mi
·
23 min
·
AL 53
3
Turn left onto Sparkman Drive Northwest
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Sparkman Drive Northwest
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 72
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 72
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US 72
Toward US 72 East: Scottsboro
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I-24 East: Chattanooga
7
Merge onto I 24
33 mi
·
38 min
·
I 24
Use the none lane.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 75
99 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
13
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
15
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
16
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6.5-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid peak traffic congestion on the busier stretches of I-75 and I-81. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer segments, as the 99.2-mile stretch on I-75 can pass quickly without many major exits. Since this is a single-day trip, pack your own snacks and drinks to maintain your momentum and avoid unnecessary delays. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use your single stop strategically to break up the monotony of the interstate segments.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.1 miles from Ardmore, TN, or about 3h 23m 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.1 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson City, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, TN
This is one driving day of about 338.2 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ardmore, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 169.1 mi from Ardmore, TN · 3h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
169 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 169.1 miles from Ardmore, 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.
Arriving in Johnson City, TN
The final approach into Johnson City, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Johnson City, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.37 one way
$102.74 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
118 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $56.63 | $113.26 |
| premium | $4.80 | $63.85 | $127.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $75.14 | $150.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.5 | 1 | $35.51 | $16.23 |
| Efficient EV | 84.6 | 0 | $29.59 | $13.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 135.3 | 1 | $47.35 | $21.64 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Evening in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
6:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
26 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
6h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ardmore, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 338.2 miles and takes about 6h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, US 72, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 169.1 miles from Ardmore, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 338.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.5 miles (US 72): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ardmore, TN to Johnson City, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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