Origin
Dandridge, TN
Evening in Dandridge on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dandridge, TN to Kingsport, TN
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
69.3 mi
112 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 33m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dandridge, TN
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Dandridge and Kingsport, this 69.3-mile journey is a straightforward commute across Tennessee. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 20 minutes behind the wheel, making it an easy day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-81 and I-40 to navigate through the Southeast region. With fuel costs estimated at $11, it is a budget-friendly transit option for your schedule. Whether you are heading north for business or just exploring more of the state, this route offers a functional connection between the two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
34.7 miles from Dandridge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 84% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 50.5 miles on I-81. While the drive is efficient, it lacks the technical turns of backroads, favoring a consistent interstate pace instead. As you transition from the interstate onto South Wilcox Drive, the environment shifts from rural highway expanses to the local surroundings of Kingsport. Prepare for a steady, predictable experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 50.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and South Wilcox Drive. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near I 81.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 5.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.8 mi into trip
|
~7m 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
56.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
5
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
Broad Street
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
TN 36 / West Center Street
Turn left onto TN 36 / West Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Dandridge, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Fall Branch
56.3 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 50.5 mi | 54m |
| South Wilcox Drive | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| I 40 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| TN 93 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| West Meeting Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Sullivan Gardens Parkway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 50.5 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dandridge, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on East Main Street
74 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn right onto SR 92
525 ft
·
16 sec
·
Chestnut Hill Road
3
Turn left onto US 25W; US 70; SR 92
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Meeting Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft
·
14 sec
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
9
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
SR 93
10
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
TN 93
11
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Sullivan Gardens Drive
12
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Wilcox Drive
13
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
14
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Sullivan Street
16
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
17
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Broad Street
18
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
19
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft
·
19 sec
·
Broad Street
20
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Center Street
Use the none lane.
21
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure timing to avoid peak traffic hours. You won't need to worry about planning formal rest stops given the 1-hour and 20-minute duration, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Because the majority of your time is spent on I-81, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate to ensure you aren't caught needing a station during the long 50.5-mile stretch. Aim to fill up in Dandridge if your tank is low, as that $11 estimated fuel cost is most manageable when you start your journey prepared.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.7 miles from Dandridge, TN, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.5 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 69.3 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.7 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsport, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dandridge, 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 Dandridge, TN
This is one driving day of about 69.3 miles and 1h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dandridge, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 50.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.7 mi from Dandridge, TN · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 69.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.7 miles from Dandridge, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kingsport, TN
The final approach into Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, 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
$10.53 one way
$21.05 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.60 | $23.21 |
| premium | $4.80 | $13.08 | $26.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.40 | $30.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.06 | $2.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.70 | $4.44 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Kingsport, TN
Evening in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
1 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
1h 20m 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 Dandridge, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 69.3 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, South Wilcox Drive, 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 34.7 miles from Dandridge, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 5.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dandridge, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
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