Origin
Benton, TN
Evening in Benton on Sunday
Local time
7:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benton, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
185.7 mi
299 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
4h 0m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benton, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 185.7 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Benton to Johnson City is a straightforward transit through the Southeast. Expect a travel time of roughly 3 hours and 35 minutes, making this perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. You will primarily utilize I-75, I-40, and I-81 to navigate between these two points. Budgeting around $28 for fuel should cover your needs, provided your vehicle maintains standard efficiency. Because the journey is relatively quick, you likely won't need an overnight stop unless you prefer a leisurely pace. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from the southeastern corner of the state to the northeast without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.9 miles from Benton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by a heavy reliance on the interstate system, with 93% of the journey taking place on major highways. You will experience a fast-paced, highway-focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over local backroads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 56.6-mile segment along I-81, which requires steady focus. As you transition between the three major interstates, the character of the road remains consistent and efficient. Be prepared for a standard interstate experience where the focus is on maintaining momentum rather than navigating winding, technical terrain.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 75. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 411.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 185.7 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 0.1 miles (US 411): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.3 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
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 411
Turn left onto US 411
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
28.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
77.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
114 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
170.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m 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 Benton, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
170.6 mi in
|
~3h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| I 75 | 48.7 mi | 53m |
| I 40 | 36.7 mi | 40m |
| US 411 | 14.4 mi | 19m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| David W Lillard Memorial Highway | 7.6 mi | 10m |
| Ingleside Avenue | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| John J Duncan Parkway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Town Creek Road
74 ft
·
5 sec
·
Town Creek Road
2
Turn left onto Main Street
446 ft
·
26 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 411
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 411
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto SR 30
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
David W Lillard Memorial Highway
5
Continue on SR 30
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South White Street
6
Continue on SR 30; SR 39
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Green Street
7
Turn slight right onto SR 305
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Ingleside Avenue
8
Continue on SR 305
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
John J Duncan Parkway
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
10
Merge onto I 75
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
14
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
16
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
17
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For a smooth journey, aim to depart early to avoid potential peak-hour congestion on the busier stretches of I-75 and I-40. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to decide where to pull over for a quick break or fuel top-off. Since the route is nearly entirely interstate-based, keep a close watch on traffic reports for your specific highway segments to anticipate any unexpected delays. Given the $28 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before you leave Benton ensures you won't have to worry about finding service stations during the longer 56.6-mile stretch on I-81. Use that single stop strategically to stretch your legs before the final leg into Johnson City.
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 92.9 miles from Benton, TN, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.9 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 57m
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 Benton, 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 Benton, TN
This is one driving day of about 185.7 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Benton, 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 81 for about 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.9 mi from Benton, TN · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 92.9 miles from Benton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$28.21 one way
$56.41 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $31.09 | $62.19 |
| premium | $4.80 | $35.06 | $70.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.26 | $82.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.50 | $8.91 |
| Efficient EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.25 | $7.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.3 | 0 | $26.00 | $11.88 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
7:24 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 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
3h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Benton, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 185.7 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 75, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.9 miles from Benton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.21 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 185.7 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 0.1 miles (US 411): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Benton, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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