Origin
Johnson City, TN
Evening in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson City, TN to Benton, TN
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
186.3 mi
300 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Benton, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Connecting Johnson City to Benton, this 186.3-mile journey across Tennessee is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is quite manageable, it serves as an excellent day trip, meaning you likely won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $28 for fuel, making this an economical choice for a quick regional transit. The route keeps you within the Southeast, transitioning you across the state via major interstates. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal stress.
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
93.2 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of this trip is spent on major interstates including I-81, I-40, and I-75. You will spend a significant amount of time maintaining cruising speeds, highlighted by the longest uninterrupted stretch of 57.1 miles along I-81. The drive is designed for consistent momentum, trading technical local roads for wide, multi-lane thoroughfares. While the terrain remains relatively predictable, the shift between three different interstates requires you to stay alert for interchanges. It is a functional, high-speed transit route that gets you from point A to point B without the complications of winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 57.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 40. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 186.3 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 16 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 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 40 | 52.8 mi | 59m |
| I 75 | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| Tennessee Avenue | 14.3 mi | 17m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| David W Lillard Memorial Highway | 7.6 mi | 10m |
| Ingleside Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Highway 305 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 57.1 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Benton, 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 left at fork onto I 75
33 mi
·
34 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward TN 305: Athens
14
Keep slight left at fork
149 ft
·
5 sec
15
Turn straight onto SR 305
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 305
16
Continue on SR 305
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Ingleside Avenue
17
Turn slight left onto SR 30; SR 39
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Green Street
18
Continue on SR 30; SR 39
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South White Street
19
Continue on SR 30
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
David W Lillard Memorial Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 30
524 ft
·
8 sec
·
David W Lillard Memorial Highway
21
Merge onto US 411; SR 30
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Tennessee Avenue
Use the none lane.
22
Turn right onto Main Street
446 ft
·
20 sec
·
Main Street
Use the none lane.
23
At end of road, turn right onto Town Creek Road
74 ft
·
2 sec
·
Town Creek Road
24
Arrive at destination
Town Creek Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day commitment, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the interstates is always a smart move. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the total mileage can lead to fatigue if you push through without a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before transitioning between I-81, I-40, and I-75 to ensure you aren't caught in a stretch with fewer service options. Because the drive is under four hours, you can easily manage the pace to suit your personal schedule. A key tip: double-check your GPS at the major interstate junctions, as the transition between these three specific highways is where you are most likely to encounter navigation confusion.
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 93.2 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.1 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 93.2 miles or 1h 44m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, 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 186.3 miles and 3h 35m.
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 81 for about 57.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.2 mi from Johnson City, TN · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 93.2 miles from Johnson City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Benton, TN
The final approach into Benton, 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 Benton, 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
$28.30 one way
$56.59 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $31.19 | $62.39 |
| premium | $4.80 | $35.17 | $70.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.39 | $82.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.56 | $8.94 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.08 | $11.92 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Benton, TN
Evening in Benton on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 35m 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 Johnson City, TN to Benton, TN covers 186.3 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 40, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.2 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 $28.30 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 186.3 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.
The route from Johnson City, TN to Benton, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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