Origin
Brighton, TN
Evening in Brighton on Sunday
Local time
7:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brighton, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
299.6 mi
482 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 32m
★
6 AM
5h 45m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brighton, TN
Cintia Siqueira
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 299.6 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Brighton to Johnson City is a straightforward cross-state journey that typically takes 5 hours and 44 minutes. Because you are traveling within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional feel as you transition from the western side of the state toward the eastern mountains. Budgeting approximately $46 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-day trip. While this drive is manageable in a single day, it is a significant distance, so plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs. It is a practical route for those looking to cross the state efficiently without needing to split the drive into multiple days.
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
149.8 miles from Brighton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 86% of your route is comprised of major interstates including I-24, I-75, and I-81. You will spend much of your time maintaining steady speeds, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 99.2 miles along I-75. The personality of this drive is defined by the efficiency of these major arteries rather than technical backroads. As you move between these primary interstates, the road environment remains consistent and predictable, making it a reliable choice for drivers who prefer well-maintained, high-speed thoroughfares. Be prepared for a steady pace that allows you to cover the nearly 300 miles without the complexities of navigating smaller local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 64 / Winchester Highway.
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 299.6 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 1.9 miles (US 64 / Winchester Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.2 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.
6
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 64 / Winchester Highway
Turn right onto US 64 / Winchester Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
91.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
191.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m 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
227.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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
284.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 25m 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 Brighton, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
284.5 mi in
|
~5h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 99.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| I 24 | 50.5 mi | 58m |
| I 40 | 36.7 mi | 40m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| David Crockett Highway | 13.5 mi | 15m |
| Sewanee Highway | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| Winchester Highway | 6.4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Howell Hill Road
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Howell Hill Road
2
Turn left onto SR 275
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Flintville Road
3
Turn right onto US 64
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Winchester Highway
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 64
13 mi
·
14 min
·
David Crockett Highway
5
Continue on US 64
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Memorial Drive
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft
·
5 sec
8
Turn straight onto US 41A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Cowan Highway
9
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Cumberland Street West
10
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Sewanee Highway
11
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sollace M Freeman Highway
12
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sewanee Highway
13
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
David Crockett Highway
14
Continue on US 41A
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
16
Merge onto I 24; US 64
51 mi
·
58 min
·
I 24;US 64
Use the none lane.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 75
99 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
22
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
24
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
25
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 44-minute transit, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential congestion on the busier sections of the interstate. Since your route relies heavily on major highways, keep an eye on traffic reports for I-75 and I-81, as these are critical transit corridors. You only need one planned stop to stay refreshed, but choose your location wisely to avoid peak-hour fuel prices. Because the drive is a single-day commitment, you have the flexibility to adjust your start time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon travel. Always keep your $46 fuel budget in mind, and try to refuel during your one scheduled break to keep your momentum steady throughout the day.
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 149.8 miles from Brighton, TN, or about 2h 58m 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.8 miles or 2h 58m 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 44m
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 Brighton, 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 Brighton, TN
This is one driving day of about 299.6 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brighton, 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 149.8 mi from Brighton, TN · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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 149.8 miles from Brighton, 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
$45.51 one way
$91.01 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $50.17 | $100.33 |
| premium | $4.80 | $56.56 | $113.12 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.56 | $133.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.9 | 1 | $31.46 | $14.38 |
| Efficient EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.22 | $11.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.8 | 1 | $41.94 | $19.17 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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
8:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
64°F
Cleveland, TN
150 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
7 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 44m 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 Brighton, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 299.6 miles and takes about 5h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 81, I 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 149.8 miles from Brighton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.51 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 14 significant decision points across 299.6 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 1.9 miles (US 64 / Winchester Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Brighton, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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