Trip from Humboldt, TN to Kingsport, TN

Drive Time

7h 42m

Distance

417.5 mi

672 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

7h 33m ★

6 AM

7h 43m

8 AM

8h 2m

10 AM

7h 49m

12 PM

7h 47m

3 PM

7h 50m

5 PM

8h 1m

8 PM

7h 37m

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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Humboldt, TN

ΘSWΛLD

Trip Overview

Spanning 417.5 miles across Tennessee, this cross-state journey connects Humboldt to Kingsport in approximately 7 hours and 42 minutes. Because the route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can realistically complete the trip in a single day if you are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel. You should budget about $63 for fuel to cover the distance, though it is wise to keep a little extra set aside for fluctuations in gas prices. While the trip remains within the Southeast region, you will traverse a significant portion of the state from west to east. Whether you choose to power through in one go or break it up, having a clear plan for your two planned stops will make the long haul much more manageable.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

208.7 miles from Humboldt, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a straightforward, interstate-heavy experience, as 97% of your travel takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a massive 337.5-mile stretch of the journey before you eventually transition onto I-81. This is a high-speed, efficiency-driven route rather than a winding backroad adventure, so prepare for a consistent interstate rhythm. Brief segments on US 45W help you navigate the initial leg of the trip before you merge onto the main arterial roads. Once you settle into the long haul on I-40, the drive becomes a steady, predictable grind that demands focus but offers few technical driving challenges.

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

There are about 25 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 337.5 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 1.8 miles in near US 45W.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 417.5 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 1.8 miles (US 45W): Lane positioning matters here; at 140.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

1.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 45W

Turn right onto US 45W

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

140.2 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...

143.4 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...

404.7 mi into trip | ~7h 24m 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

417.4 mi into trip | ~7h 42m 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

Between Humboldt, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

Huntsville

140.2 mi in | ~2h 34m

Louisville

142.9 mi in | ~2h 38m | via I 40

Knoxville

142.9 mi in | ~2h 38m | via I 40

Chattanooga

142.9 mi in | ~2h 38m | via I 40

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	337.5 mi	6h 7m
I 81	50.5 mi	54m
US 45W	11.2 mi	14m
South Wilcox Drive	4.1 mi	6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive	3.1 mi	3m
Downtown Loop	2.9 mi	4m
East Main Street	2.6 mi	4m
TN 93	2.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 337.5 mi, about 6h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 70A; US 79; US 45W Business

1.8 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

Turn right onto US 45W

11 mi · 14 min · US 45W

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 40; US 412

127 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 40; US 412

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40; I 65

2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Downtown Loop

Exit 211B; 211A Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

174 mi · 3 hr 9 min · I 40

Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

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

To tackle this 417.5-mile trek effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion near the larger cities along I-40. Since you have two stops planned, try to space them out evenly to keep your energy levels steady throughout the nearly eight-hour duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 337.5-mile stretch on I-40, as you will want to avoid stopping in high-traffic areas if possible. Because this is a highway-focused drive, maintain a consistent pace and utilize cruise control where safe to manage your fuel efficiency effectively. Since you are staying on major interstates for nearly the entire trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your stops based on real-time traffic updates.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 208.7 miles from Humboldt, TN, or about 3h 50m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 337.5 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 92 miles or 1h 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 208.7 miles or 3h 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 33m

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 Humboldt, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Humboldt, TN

This is one driving day of about 417.5 miles and 7h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Humboldt, TN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 337.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 208.7 mi from Humboldt, TN · 3h 50m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

209 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

Franklin, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 208.7 miles from Humboldt, 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 337.5 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

$63.41 one way

$126.83 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 146 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$69.91	$139.81
premium	$4.80	$78.82	$157.63
diesel	$5.64	$92.75	$185.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 146.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	125.3	1	$43.84	$20.04
Efficient EV	104.4	1	$36.53	$16.70
EV Truck/SUV	167	2	$58.45	$26.72

Gas CO2

146 kg

EV CO2

49 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Humboldt, TN

Evening in Humboldt on Sunday

Local time

8:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kingsport, TN

Night in Kingsport on Sunday

Local time

9:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

209 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

4 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

7h 42m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Humboldt, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 417.5 miles and takes about 7h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 81, US 45W. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 208.7 miles from Humboldt, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Humboldt, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

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Return Trip

Kingsport, TN to Humboldt, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

414.7 mi 7h 41m

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Trip from Humboldt, 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

Humboldt, TN

Kingsport, TN

1 hour later

4 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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