Drive Time
6h 3m
Distance
408.5 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
Photo: Kelly
The drive from Jackson, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 408.5 miles and takes about 6h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Whitehall Street, I 40 East, Downtown Loop for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.65 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
204.2 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 3m drive with frequent turns across 408.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Whitehall Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Downtown Loop | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 81 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SR 93 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Wilcox Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sullivan Gardens Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Kingsport, TN.
Start on East Main Street
At the end of the road, turn left
Turn right onto Whitehall Street
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
Continue on Downtown Loop
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
Take the exit slight right toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Keep slight right to continue on SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Merge slight left
Continue straight
Continue on Sullivan Gardens Drive
Continue on South Wilcox Drive
Continue on Sullivan Gardens Parkway
Turn left onto South Wilcox Drive
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Broad Street
Exit the roundabout onto Broad Street
Turn left onto West Center Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 90 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.2 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsport, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, TN
This is one driving day of about 408.5 miles and 6h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 204.2 mi from Jackson, TN · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
204 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 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 204.2 miles from Jackson, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$60.65 one way
$121.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $68.40 | $136.80 |
| premium | $4.65 | $74.85 | $149.70 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $85.30 | $170.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 122.6 | 1 | $42.89 | $19.61 |
| Efficient EV | 102.1 | 1 | $35.74 | $16.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 163.4 | 2 | $57.19 | $26.14 |
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Kingsport on Saturday
Local time
7:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
204 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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