Origin
Elizabethton, TN
Afternoon in Elizabethton on Friday
Local time
1:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabethton, TN to Johnson, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
162.4 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabethton, TN
Kelly
Johnson, TN
WoodysMedia
Trip Overview
The drive from Elizabethton, TN to Johnson, TN covers 162.4 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 40, I 75 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.1 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
81.2 miles from Elizabethton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 162.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 13m highway drive covering 162.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 57.1 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 57.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 40. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Riverside Drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 (North Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (North Sycamore Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Riverside Drive
Turn right onto North Riverside Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Sycamore Street
Turn right onto North Sycamore Street
Navigation decision point
5
23.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South: Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
5
81.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
133.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 40 | 52.8 mi | 59m |
| I 75 | 21.9 mi | 23m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 15.1 mi | 18m |
| West Elk Avenue | 7.4 mi | 12m |
| Oakland Road | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| Raby Town Road | 1.5 mi | 5m |
| Broad Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 57.1 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethton, TN and Johnson, TN.
1
Start on this road
32 ft
·
1 sec
·
this road
2
Continue on East Elk Avenue
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
East Elk Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Riverside Drive
286 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Riverside Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on East E Street
445 ft
·
23 sec
·
East E Street
5
Turn right onto North Sycamore Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Sycamore Street
6
Turn left onto US 321; SR 67
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
7
Continue on US 321; SR 67
7.4 mi
·
12 min
·
West Elk Avenue
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
9
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
15 mi
·
18 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
11
Merge onto I 81
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
12
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
13
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 62
Toward SR 322: Sweetwater
16
Turn right onto SR 322
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Oakland Road
17
Turn left onto Raby Town Road
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Raby Town Road
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Raby Town Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Raby Town Road
19
Continue on Raby Town Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Raby Town Road
20
Arrive at destination
Raby Town Road
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 81.2 miles from Elizabethton, TN, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.1 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 36 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.2 miles or 1h 35m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elizabethton, 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 Elizabethton, TN
This is one driving day of about 162.4 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Elizabethton, 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 57.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.2 mi from Elizabethton, TN · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.2 miles from Elizabethton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Johnson, TN
The final approach into Johnson, 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, 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
$25.39 one way
$50.78 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.88 | $55.75 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.25 | $62.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.86 | $71.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.05 | $7.80 |
| Efficient EV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.21 | $6.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65 | 0 | $22.74 | $10.39 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Johnson, TN
Afternoon in Johnson on Friday
Local time
1:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°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 warmer 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 Elizabethton, TN to Johnson, TN covers 162.4 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 I 81, I 40, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.2 miles from Elizabethton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.39 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 162.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 (North Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (North Sycamore Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Elizabethton, TN to Johnson, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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