Origin
Jacksboro, TN
Night in Jacksboro on Sunday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jacksboro, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
137.8 mi
222 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksboro, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 137.8 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Jacksboro to Johnson City is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 37 minutes. Because the route is compact, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $21 for fuel, making this an affordable excursion within the Southeast. The path relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a consistent pace throughout your journey. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip is efficient and easy to navigate. Since both the origin and destination are located within the same state, you will experience a familiar regional feel throughout the drive.
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
68.9 miles from Jacksboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of your travel occurring on major routes like I-81, US 25W, and the James H. Quillen Parkway. You will spend much of your time on the interstate, including a significant 56.6-mile stretch on I-81 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. While the road starts with local highway connections, the transition to the interstate allows for steady speeds and consistent travel. Expect the personality of the drive to be practical and functional, prioritizing direct transit over winding backroads. It is a no-nonsense experience that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal technical driving requirements.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 56.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and US 25W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 137.8 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 30.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 30.8 miles (I 640; US 25W / Knoxville Bypass): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.5 miles (US 25W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
30.6 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward I 640 East: Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 640 East: Asheville
5
30.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 640; US 25W / Knoxville Bypass
Merge onto I 640; US 25W / Knoxville Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
37.5 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 25W
Keep slight left at fork onto US 25W toward I 40 East: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
6
66.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m 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...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Jacksboro, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
122.7 mi in
|
~2h 17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| US 25W | 55.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| Knoxville Bypass | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| West Central Avenue | 3 mi | 3m |
| East Market Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| I 275 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Buffalo Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksboro, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Main Street
275 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Paris Nance Road
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Paris Nance Road
3
Turn left onto US 25W; TN 63
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Avenue
4
Continue on US 25W; TN 63
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Royal Blue Road
5
Take the exit onto US 25W
27 mi
·
32 min
·
US 25W
Toward Knoxville
6
Continue on I 275
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 275
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 640 East: Asheville
8
Merge onto I 640; US 25W
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Knoxville Bypass
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 25W
29 mi
·
31 min
·
US 25W
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
12
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
14
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
15
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around traffic patterns to ensure a smooth ride. You only need to budget for one stop to stay refreshed during the 2-hour and 37-minute duration. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $21 cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current gas prices. Because the route relies so heavily on I-81, use your GPS to monitor for any unexpected congestion on the interstate before you leave. Planning your single stop near the transition between US 25W and I-81 can help break up the drive effectively and keep you energized for the final leg into Johnson City.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.9 miles from Jacksboro, TN, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 20m 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 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 Jacksboro, 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 Jacksboro, TN
This is one driving day of about 137.8 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jacksboro, 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 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.9 mi from Jacksboro, TN · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.9 miles from Jacksboro, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Johnson City, TN
The final approach into Johnson City, 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 City, 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
$20.93 one way
$41.86 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $23.07 | $46.15 |
| premium | $4.80 | $26.01 | $52.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.61 | $61.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.47 | $6.61 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.06 | $5.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.29 | $8.82 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 City, TN
Night in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 37m 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 Jacksboro, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 137.8 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, US 25W, 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 68.9 miles from Jacksboro, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 137.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 30.8 miles (I 640; US 25W / Knoxville Bypass): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.5 miles (US 25W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Jacksboro, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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