Embark on a 271.8-mile journey from Green Hill, TN, to Johnson City, TN, a drive that will take approximately 5 hours and 3 minutes. This route is predominantly highway, with 97% of the travel on major interstates, making it a straightforward trip suitable for a single day. You can expect a fuel cost of around $42 for this drive. Given its manageable duration and highway focus, it’s an efficient way to travel across Tennessee, connecting two points within the Southeast region. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the driving time.
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
135.9 miles from Green Hill, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
189 mi
3h 26m
I 81
56.6 mi
1h
James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi
16m
Lebanon Road
6.7 mi
10m
SR 109
3.6 mi
4m
East Market Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Santa Fe Trail
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 189 mi, about 3h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Green Hill, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Santa Fe Trail
141 ft·11 sec·Santa Fe Trail
2
Turn left onto US 70
6.7 mi·10 min·Lebanon Road
3
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·1 min
4
Turn right onto SR 109
299 ft·3 sec·SR 109
5
Continue on SR 109
3.6 mi·4 min·SR 109
6
Turn left
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
7
Merge onto I 40
152 mi·2 hr 45 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi·1 hr·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 57AToward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
11
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi·16 min·James H. Quillen Parkway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 23Toward TN 91
13
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Market Street
14
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right
433 ft·31 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 5 hours, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day drive. Consider an early morning departure from Green Hill to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Johnson City with ample time. While the drive is mostly highway, remember to factor in one planned stop for fuel and a quick break. The longest stretch without a major exit is 189 miles, so ensure you’re fueled up before embarking on that portion of I-40. This allows for a smooth and uninterrupted journey to your destination.
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 135.9 miles from Green Hill, TN, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189 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 60 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.9 miles or 2h 32m 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 7m
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 Green Hill, 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 Green Hill, TN
This is one driving day of about 271.8 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Green Hill, 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 189 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 271.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.1 mi into trip|~16m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
163.3 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
200.1 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
256.7 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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...
5
271.1 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward TN 91
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.49 one way
$84.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.66
$93.31
premium
$4.89
$52.31
$104.61
diesel
$5.61
$60.01
$120.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.5
1
$28.54
$13.05
Efficient EV
68
0
$23.78
$10.87
EV Truck/SUV
108.7
1
$38.05
$17.40
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Green Hill, TN
Afternoon
in Green Hill on Saturday
Local time
12:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Afternoon
in Johnson City on Saturday
Local time
1:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, TN
136 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
8 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 3m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 9.4
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 187.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with the vast majority of your mileage on interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I-40 and I-81, experiencing fast-paced travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 189 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. The route concludes with a segment on James H. Quillen Parkway, offering a slight change of pace as you approach your destination. Overall, expect a consistent and efficient driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 189 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort6/10
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 271.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 11.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Green Hill, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
256.7 mi in|~4h 43m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 271.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Green Hill, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 271.8 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.9 miles from Green Hill, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.49 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 271.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 11.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Green Hill, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
