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Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
279.3 mi
449 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
The drive from Hendersonville, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 279.3 miles and takes about 5h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 81, SR 109 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 189 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
139.6 miles from Hendersonville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
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This is a 5h 16m highway drive covering 279.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 189 miles on I 40.
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 4.1 miles in near TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 279.3 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 4.1 miles (TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 179 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.7 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 189 mi | 3h 26m |
| I 81 | 50.5 mi | 54m |
| SR 109 | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Vietnam Veterans Boulevard | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| South Wilcox Drive | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| TN 93 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South Water Avenue | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hendersonville, TN and Kingsport, TN.
Start on Walton Ferry Road
Turn right onto US 31E
Continue on US 31E
Continue on US 31E
Take the ramp
Merge onto TN 386
Continue on SR 665
Take the exit
Merge onto SR 109
Take the exit
Merge onto SR 109
Continue on SR 109
Continue on SR 109
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SR 93
Continue on TN 93
Continue on SR 93
Continue on SR 93
Continue on SR 93
Turn left onto SR 126
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
Continue on Broad Street
Turn left onto TN 36
Arrive at 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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.6 miles or 2h 40m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsport, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hendersonville, 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 Hendersonville, TN
This is one driving day of about 279.3 miles and 5h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.6 mi from Hendersonville, TN · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 139.6 miles from Hendersonville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 189 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$43.67 one way
$87.33 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $47.94 | $95.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $53.75 | $107.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.67 | $123.33 |
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: 97.7 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 | 83.8 | 1 | $29.33 | $13.41 |
| Efficient EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.44 | $11.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.7 | 1 | $39.10 | $17.88 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Hendersonville on Wednesday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Morning in Kingsport on Wednesday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
76°F
Johnson, TN
140 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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