Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Evening in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
216.8 mi
349 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 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Connecting Chattanooga to Johnson City, this 216.8-mile journey across Tennessee is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-75 North and I-81 North after departing via Market Street. Since the total drive time is manageable, this trip works perfectly as a single-day excursion, though you might prefer an overnight stay if you plan on exploring once you arrive. Budgeting approximately $32 for fuel should cover your transit costs between these two Southeast hubs. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable link between the state's southern and northeastern regions.
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
108.4 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by a turn-heavy local start followed by steady interstate travel. While you begin your departure on Market Street, you quickly transition to the primary highway system for the remainder of the trip. Because the longest stretch on the local roads is effectively zero miles, you can anticipate a fairly consistent flow once you merge onto the interstates. The highway share is zero percent, meaning you are relying on major thoroughfares rather than secondary lanes for the entire duration. You will feel the transition from the city streets of Chattanooga to the more open, high-speed environment of the I-75 and I-81 corridors as you head northeast.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Market Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Johnson City, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 75 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 81 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 26 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| James H | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| TN 91 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Buffalo Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Market Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on West Martin Luther King Boulevard
79 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Market Street
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Market Street
3
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
4
Merge slight left
5.8 mi
·
7 min
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75 North: Knoxville
6
Merge slight left
99 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
7
Keep slight left
37 mi
·
40 min
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81 North: Bristol
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
10
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
11
Take the exit slight right toward TN 91
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
TN 91
12
Turn right onto East Market Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Market Street
13
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
14
Turn right
433 ft
·
32 sec
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To keep your travel efficient, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the main interstate arteries. Since you only have one planned stop on the itinerary, plan your break strategically to coincide with the mid-point of your 3-hour and 13-minute drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between the different highway systems, keeping that $32 estimate in mind for your budget. Because the total distance is just under 217 miles, you have significant flexibility to adjust your arrival time without feeling rushed. Take advantage of this short duration to enjoy a leisurely pace, ensuring you reach Johnson City refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 108.4 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.4 miles or 1h 36m 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 38m
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 Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, TN
This is one driving day of about 216.8 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chattanooga, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.4 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 108.4 miles from Chattanooga, 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
$32.93 one way
$65.86 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $36.30 | $72.60 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.93 | $81.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.17 | $96.33 |
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: 75.9 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 | 65 | 0 | $22.76 | $10.41 |
| Efficient EV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.97 | $8.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.7 | 1 | $30.35 | $13.88 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
7:25 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
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
3h 13m 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 Chattanooga, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 216.8 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Market Street, I 75 North, I 81 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108.4 miles from Chattanooga, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.93 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 is a straightforward 3h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Johnson City, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Chattanooga, TN to Johnson City, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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