Origin
Johnson City, TN
Night in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
9:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson City, TN to Altamont, TN
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
248.3 mi
400 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Altamont, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 248.3 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Johnson City to Altamont typically takes about 4 hours and 57 minutes of pure road time. Since you are staying within the Southeast region, the trip is perfectly manageable as a one-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via I-40 and I-81, with a portion of the journey transitioning onto the Rhea County Highway. Budgeting approximately $38 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Because the route is highway-focused, it provides a straightforward, efficient path between these two points. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this transit offers a clear, predictable timeline for your travels.
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
124.1 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused profile, with 73% of the journey spent on major interstates. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the road, particularly during the longest stretch of 73 miles along I-40. While the interstates provide fast, consistent travel, the character of the drive shifts as you transition onto the Rhea County Highway toward your destination. This mix keeps the experience from feeling purely monotonous, balancing long-haul speed with the change in scenery that comes when moving off the primary corridors. By the time you reach Altamont, you will have experienced a blend of fast-paced transit and local road navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 73 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 0.1 miles in near Buffalo Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 248.3 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 0.1 miles (Buffalo Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Buffalo Street
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Roan Street
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
15 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South: Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
5
72.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
125.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Nashville
Towns Along This Route
Between Johnson City, TN and Altamont, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Rockwood.
Nashville
125.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via I 40
Rockwood
145.3 mi in
|
~2h 42m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 73 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| Rhea County Highway | 31.9 mi | 39m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| SR 111 | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Dayton Pike | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| TN 8 | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| SR 108 | 7.2 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 73 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Altamont, TN.
1
Start on this road
433 ft
·
35 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto North Roan Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Roan Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto SR 400
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Watauga Avenue
5
Turn left onto Oak Street
441 ft
·
10 sec
·
Oak Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
7
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
9
Merge onto I 81
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
10
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
11
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 27, TN 61: Harriman, Rockwood
14
Turn left onto US 27
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Roane Street
15
Continue on US 27
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
North Gateway Avenue
16
Continue on US 27
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Spring City Highway
17
Continue on US 27
32 mi
·
39 min
·
Rhea County Highway
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on US 27
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Dayton Pike
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
20
Merge onto TN 111
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
TN 111
21
Continue on SR 111
11 mi
·
13 min
·
SR 111
22
Continue on TN 8; TN 111
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
TN 8; TN 111
23
Turn left onto SR 399
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Rifle Range Road
24
Continue on SR 399
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Artillery Road
25
Continue on SR 399
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Rifle Range Road
26
At end of road, turn right onto SR 108
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
SR 108
27
Turn right onto SR 56
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 56
28
Turn right onto Cumberland Street
526 ft
·
23 sec
·
Cumberland Street
29
Arrive at destination
Cumberland Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan to make at least one stop to stretch your legs during the nearly five-hour journey. Since this is a one-day trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid any potential congestion on the busier stretches of I-40 and I-81. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the major interstates, as local road stretches can sometimes have fewer service options than the primary highways. Given the $38 fuel estimate, it is wise to fill up at a convenient highway exit before you turn onto the Rhea County Highway. This flexibility allows you to enjoy the drive at your own pace without feeling rushed to reach your final 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 124.1 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.1 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altamont, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Johnson City, 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 Johnson City, TN
This is one driving day of about 248.3 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Johnson City, 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 73 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.1 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 124.1 miles from Johnson City, 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 73 miles.
Arriving in Altamont, TN
The final approach into Altamont, 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 Altamont, 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
$37.71 one way
$75.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.58 | $83.15 |
| premium | $4.80 | $46.87 | $93.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.16 | $110.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.07 | $11.92 |
| Efficient EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.73 | $9.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.3 | 1 | $34.76 | $15.89 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Altamont, TN
Evening in Altamont on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
124 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 57m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Johnson City, TN to Altamont, TN covers 248.3 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Rhea County Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.1 miles from Johnson City, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.71 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 248.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Buffalo Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Johnson City, TN and Altamont, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Rockwood.
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