Origin
Johnson City, TN
Evening in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
7:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson City, TN to Baxter, TN
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
214.5 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Baxter, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Johnson City to Baxter covers 214.5 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 1 minute. Because this route is entirely within Tennessee, you will stay in the Southeast region for the duration of your journey. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, as it functions well as a straightforward road trip. Budgeting approximately $32 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the drive is focused on highways, it is a practical option for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two locations without needing an overnight split.
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
107.3 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 99% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate using the James H. Quillen Parkway, I-81, and I-40 to reach your destination. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be the 140.6-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the core of your journey. This route is designed for steady movement rather than winding, technical roads, making it a predictable and consistent drive from start to finish.
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 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 140.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Buffalo Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 14 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
On the drive from Johnson City, TN to Baxter, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
125.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 140.6 mi | 2h 34m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1.3 mi | 4m |
| East Watauga Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Roan Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Buffalo Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.6 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Baxter, 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
88 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
14
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
15
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
1st Avenue South
16
Turn left onto SR 141
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Old Baxter Road
17
Arrive at destination
SR 141
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour drive, try to plan for one strategic stop to break up the long interstate segments. Leaving early in the day is a smart move to avoid heavy traffic patterns that can occasionally impact the I-40 corridor. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 140 miles, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting that section to avoid unnecessary detours. Flexibility is a major advantage here; since the total duration is manageable, you can easily adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort levels throughout the day.
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 107.3 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.6 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.3 miles or 2h 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baxter, 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 214.5 miles and 4h 1m.
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 140.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.3 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 107.3 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 140.6 miles.
Arriving in Baxter, TN
The final approach into Baxter, 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 Baxter, 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
$32.58 one way
$65.16 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.92 | $71.83 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.49 | $80.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.65 | $95.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.52 | $10.30 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.77 | $8.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.03 | $13.73 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Baxter, TN
Evening in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
6:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
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 1m 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 Baxter, TN covers 214.5 miles and takes about 4h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, 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 107.3 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 $32.58 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
On the drive from Johnson City, TN to Baxter, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Baxter, TN
More trips to Baxter, TN
Explore more options from Johnson City, TN or browse trips ending in Baxter, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Johnson City, TN or Baxter, TN on MapSof.net.