Origin
Baxter, TN
Evening in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Baxter, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
4h
Distance
214.4 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Baxter, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 214.4 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Baxter to Johnson City is a straightforward journey typically taking about 4 hours. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, making this a highly efficient route that fits easily into a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it is an economical choice for those looking to traverse the Southeast without the complexity of winding backroads. While you could certainly make the trip in one go, planning for at least one stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Because this drive remains entirely within the state, you can expect a consistent experience as you move across the region.
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
107.2 miles from Baxter, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a dedicated highway-focused experience, as 99% of your time will be spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will rely primarily on I-40, I-81, and the James H. Quillen Parkway to reach your destination. The most significant portion of the trip is a 141-mile stretch on I-40, which demands steady focus during long periods of sustained speed. As you transition between these major arteries, the road maintains a predictable, fast-paced personality suited for covering ground quickly. This is not a technical or slow-moving route, but rather a direct connection designed for travelers who prioritize efficiency over local detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 141 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
6
106 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
142.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
199.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m 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...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Baxter, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
199.3 mi in
|
~3h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 141 mi | 2h 35m |
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1.3 mi | 4m |
| East Market Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Buffalo Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Gainesboro Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 141 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baxter, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on SR 141
92 ft
·
3 sec
·
Old Baxter Road
2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue South
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
1st Avenue South
3
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
4
Continue on SR 56
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Gainesboro Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
104 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
10
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
12
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
13
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour drive, your best bet is to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic congestion on the main interstates. You should plan for one scheduled stop to break up the long 141-mile stretch on I-40, ensuring you stay alert throughout the journey. Keep your $33 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling intervals, as prices can fluctuate depending on where you exit the highway. Because the route is compact enough for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your own comfort levels. Remember that while the interstates are fast, monitoring your speed on the James H. Quillen Parkway as you approach Johnson City is a smart way to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 107.2 miles from Baxter, TN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, TN
This is one driving day of about 214.4 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Baxter, 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 141 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.2 mi from Baxter, TN · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 107.2 miles from Baxter, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.57 one way
$65.13 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.90 | $71.80 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.47 | $80.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.63 | $95.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.51 | $10.29 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.76 | $8.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.02 | $13.72 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
6:04 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
6 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Baxter, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 214.4 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.2 miles from Baxter, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Baxter, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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