Trip from Franklin, TN to Kingsport, TN

Drive Time

5h 26m

Distance

292.8 mi

471 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 13m ★

6 AM

5h 27m

8 AM

5h 53m

10 AM

5h 36m

12 PM

5h 33m

3 PM

5h 37m

5 PM

5h 52m

8 PM

5h 19m

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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Franklin, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 292.8 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Franklin to Kingsport typically takes about 5 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. Because the route is straightforward and entirely within the Southeast, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip for most drivers. You should budget approximately $44 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Since the drive is highway-focused, you will spend the majority of your time on major interstates, making it an efficient way to cross the state. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this trip provides a reliable connection between these two regions without requiring an overnight stay.

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

146.4 miles from Franklin, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed experience, as 95% of this route consists of highway driving. You will rely primarily on I-65, I-40, and I-81 to navigate your way toward Kingsport. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 208-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the backbone of your drive. Because this is a highway-focused profile, you should be prepared for a consistent pace rather than technical winding roads. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed and efficiency over secondary scenic routes.

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

There are about 30 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 around 17.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 292.8 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 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

17.5 mi into trip | ~21m 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

19.9 mi into trip | ~24m 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

20.4 mi into trip | ~25m 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...

21 mi into trip | ~26m 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

280 mi into trip | ~5h 8m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Franklin, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.

Knoxville

17.2 mi in | ~20m

Chattanooga

17.5 mi in | ~21m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	208 mi	3h 47m
I 81	50.5 mi	54m
I 65	14.1 mi	15m
South Wilcox Drive	4.1 mi	6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive	3.1 mi	3m
Murfreesboro Road	2.4 mi	3m
TN 93	2.4 mi	2m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway	2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 208 mi, about 3h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Kingsport, TN.

Start on US 31 Business; TN 96

418 ft · 7 sec · Public Square

Continue on 3rd Avenue South

0.3 mi · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on SR 96

2.4 mi · 3 min · Murfreesboro Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 65

14 mi · 15 min · I 65

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 80 Toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 440

2.0 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 24

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 24

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

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

Merge onto I 40

171 mi · 3 hr 6 min · I 40

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 40 min · I 40

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

51 mi · 54 min · I 81

Exit 421 Toward I 81 North: Bristol

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Exit 50 Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch

Keep slight right at fork

509 ft · 14 sec

Exit 50 Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch

Merge onto SR 93

0.6 mi · 38 sec · SR 93

Continue on TN 93

2.4 mi · 2 min · TN 93

Continue on SR 93

3.1 mi · 3 min · Sullivan Gardens Drive

Continue on SR 93

1.5 mi · 1 min · South Wilcox Drive

Continue on SR 93

1.4 mi · 1 min · Sullivan Gardens Parkway

Turn left onto SR 126

2.6 mi · 4 min · South Wilcox Drive

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto East Sullivan Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Sullivan Street

Turn slight left onto East Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Turn right onto Broad Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Broad Street

Enter roundabout onto Broad Street

46 ft · 1 sec · Broad Street

Continue on Broad Street

433 ft · 19 sec · Broad Street

Turn left onto TN 36

0.1 mi · 23 sec · West Center Street

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

TN 36

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 26-minute duration, planning for at least one stop is essential to keep you alert and refreshed. Since you will be spending nearly the entire trip on major interstates, prioritize fueling up at major junctions where services are most reliable. Leaving early in the day is the best way to avoid peak traffic congestion often found near major Tennessee urban centers. Use your one planned stop to break up that long 208-mile stretch on I-40, as this will prevent fatigue during the most intense portion of the drive. The flexibility of this route allows you to adjust your departure time easily, but keeping a steady pace will ensure you arrive in Kingsport before nightfall.

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 146.4 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 2h 42m 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 146.4 miles or 2h 42m 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 25m

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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, TN

This is one driving day of about 292.8 miles and 5h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Franklin, 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 146.4 mi from Franklin, TN · 2h 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

146 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 146.4 miles from Franklin, 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 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.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.47 one way

$88.95 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$49.03	$98.05
premium	$4.80	$55.27	$110.55
diesel	$5.64	$65.05	$130.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.4 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	87.8	1	$30.74	$14.05
Efficient EV	73.2	0	$25.62	$11.71
EV Truck/SUV	117.1	1	$40.99	$18.74

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Franklin, TN

Evening in Franklin on Sunday

Local time

7:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kingsport, TN

Evening in Kingsport on Sunday

Local time

8:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

146 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

5 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 26m 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 Franklin, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 292.8 miles and takes about 5h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 81, I 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 146.4 miles from Franklin, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.47 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.

Between Franklin, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.

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Return Trip

Kingsport, TN to Franklin, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

291.9 mi 5h 24m

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Trip from Franklin, TN to Kingsport, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Kingsport, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Franklin, TN

Kingsport, TN

1 hour later

5 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 26m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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