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Trip from Brentwood, TN to Johnson City, TN

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

5h 21m

Distance

289.9 mi

467 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 8m ★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, located in Williamson County, USA

Brentwood, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Johnson City, TN, TN

Johnson City, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Brentwood, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 289.9 miles and takes about 5h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 208 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.32 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

145 miles from Brentwood, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 5h 21m highway drive covering 289.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 208 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 208 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 early in the drive near SR 252 / Church Street East.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 289.9 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: near the start (SR 252 / Church Street East): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 252 / Church Street East

Turn left onto SR 252 / Church Street East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
6.5 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
8
8.9 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville
8
9.4 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxvil...
8
9.9 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52B Toward I 40 East: Knoxville

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Brentwood, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.

Asheville

274.9 mi in | ~5h 2m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 208 mi 3h 47m
I 81 56.6 mi 1h
James H. Quillen Parkway 14 mi 16m
I 65 4.8 mi 5m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway 2 mi 2m
Old Hickory Boulevard 0.4 mi <1m
Church Street East 0.3 mi <1m
East Market Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 208 mi, about 3h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brentwood, TN and Johnson City, TN.

1

Start on TN 252

25 ft · 8 sec · Wilson Pike
2

Turn left onto SR 252

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Church Street East
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Turn right onto US 31

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Franklin Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Turn right onto SR 254

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Old Hickory Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 65

4.8 mi · 5 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 80 Toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 440

2.0 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto I 24

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 24
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 52B Toward I 40 East: Knoxville Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 40

171 mi · 3 hr 6 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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

57 mi · 1 hr · I 81
Exit 421 Toward I 81 North: Bristol
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 40 sec
Exit 57A Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
18

Merge onto I 26; US 23

14 mi · 16 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
19

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 23 Toward TN 91
20

Turn right onto SR 91

0.3 mi · 38 sec · East Market Street
21

Turn left onto Buffalo Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22

Turn right

433 ft · 31 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 145 miles from Brentwood, TN, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208 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 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 145 miles or 2h 41m 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 22m

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 Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, TN

This is one driving day of about 289.9 miles and 5h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brentwood, 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 208 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 145 mi from Brentwood, TN · 2h 41m into the drive

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

145 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

Johnson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145 miles from Brentwood, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 208 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Stones River National Battlefield

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 ~54 min detour Free near mile 30
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

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 ~71 min detour Free near mile 210
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.32 one way

$90.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $49.76 $99.52
premium $4.89 $55.79 $111.58
diesel $5.61 $64.01 $128.01

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: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87 1 $30.44 $13.92
Efficient EV 72.5 0 $25.37 $11.60
EV Truck/SUV 116 1 $40.59 $18.55

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Brentwood, TN

Evening in Brentwood on Tuesday

Local time

7:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Johnson City, TN

Evening in Johnson City on Tuesday

Local time

8:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

Johnson, TN

145 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

3 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 21m 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 Brentwood, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 289.9 miles and takes about 5h 21m 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 145 miles from Brentwood, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.32 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 289.9 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: near the start (SR 252 / Church Street East): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Brentwood, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.

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