Trip from Johnson City, TN to Brighton, TN

Drive Time

5h 48m

Distance

301.3 mi

485 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 35m ★

6 AM

5h 49m

8 AM

6h 15m

10 AM

5h 58m

12 PM

5h 55m

3 PM

5h 59m

5 PM

6h 14m

8 PM

5h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Johnson City, TN

Kelly

Brighton, TN

Cintia Siqueira

Trip Overview

Crossing Tennessee from Johnson City to Brighton spans 301.3 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 48 minutes of travel time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Southeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel while moving from the eastern mountains toward the western side of the state. It is a very manageable day trip if you get an early start, though you should budget approximately $45 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies heavily on major interstates, it is straightforward and efficient for those looking to reach their destination without complex navigation. While you could break it up with an overnight stay, most drivers will find this a viable single-day push.

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

150.7 miles from Johnson City, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a fast-paced, highway-focused drive as 86 percent of your journey is spent on major interstates like I-81, I-40, and I-75. You will spend plenty of time maintaining consistent speeds, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 83.1 miles on I-75. The personality of this trip is defined by long, predictable interstate segments rather than technical local roads or winding backways. While the road remains largely consistent throughout the 301.3-mile trip, the heavy reliance on highway travel means you should be prepared for typical interstate traffic patterns. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed for getting you from point A to point B as directly as possible.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 301.3 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 125.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Buffalo Street

Turn left onto Buffalo Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | North Roan Street

Turn left onto North Roan Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga

208.2 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

260.5 mi into trip | ~4h 53m in

Take the exit toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 134 Toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee

Towns Along This Route

Between Johnson City, TN and Brighton, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, 41A: Monteagle and Sewanee.

Nashville

208.2 mi in | ~3h 52m

Chattanooga

208.9 mi in | ~3h 53m | via I 24

41A: Monteagle

260.5 mi in | ~4h 53m

Sewanee

260.5 mi in | ~4h 53m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	83.1 mi	1h 31m
I 81	57.1 mi	1h 1m
I 40	52.8 mi	59m
I 24	51.7 mi	1h
James H. Quillen Parkway	13.7 mi	16m
David Crockett Highway	13.6 mi	15m
Sewanee Highway	6.8 mi	10m
Winchester Highway	6.4 mi	7m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Brighton, TN.

Start on this road

433 ft · 35 sec · this road

Turn left onto Buffalo Street

0.3 mi · 56 sec · Buffalo Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto North Roan Street

0.3 mi · 36 sec · North Roan Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto SR 400

0.3 mi · 45 sec · East Watauga Avenue

Turn left onto Oak Street

441 ft · 10 sec · Oak Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23

14 mi · 16 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec

Exit 8A Toward I 81 South: Knoxville

Merge onto I 81

56 mi · 1 hr · I 81

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81

Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

83 mi · 1 hr 31 min · I 75

Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 24

52 mi · 1 hr · I 24

Toward Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 134 Toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee

Turn slight right

50 ft · 9 sec

Turn left onto US 41A

1.6 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Continue on US 41A

0.4 mi · 36 sec · David Crockett Highway

Continue on US 41A

1.8 mi · 2 min · Sewanee Highway

Continue on US 41A

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sollace M Freeman Highway

Continue on US 41A

5.0 mi · 7 min · Sewanee Highway

Continue on US 41A

2.6 mi · 3 min · Cumberland Street East

Continue on US 41A

1.8 mi · 2 min · Cowan Highway

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Merge onto US 64

3.6 mi · 4 min · Veterans Memorial Drive

Continue on US 64

13 mi · 14 min · David Crockett Highway

Continue on US 64

6.4 mi · 7 min · Winchester Highway

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto SR 275

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Flintville Road

Turn right onto Howell Hill Road

1.4 mi · 3 min · Howell Hill Road

Arrive at destination

Howell Hill Road

Trip Plan

To keep your 5-hour and 48-minute trip stress-free, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion on the busier stretches of I-40 and I-75. Although the route is short enough to drive in one go, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you stay alert during the longer segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $45 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local gas prices along the corridor. Since you are spending most of your time on major interstates, check local traffic reports for any construction alerts before you pull out of your driveway. This flexibility allows you to adjust your departure time slightly if you need to bypass heavy traffic areas.

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 150.7 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 150.7 miles or 2h 49m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brighton, 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 301.3 miles and 5h 48m.

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 75 for about 83.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 150.7 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h 49m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cleveland, TN

151 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

Knoxville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.7 miles from Johnson City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 miles.

Arriving in Brighton, TN

The final approach into Brighton, 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 Brighton, 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

$45.76 one way

$91.53 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$50.45	$100.90
premium	$4.80	$56.88	$113.76
diesel	$5.64	$66.94	$133.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	90.4	1	$31.64	$14.46
Efficient EV	75.3	0	$26.36	$12.05
EV Truck/SUV	120.5	1	$42.18	$19.28

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Johnson City, TN

Evening in Johnson City on Sunday

Local time

6:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brighton, TN

Evening in Brighton on Sunday

Local time

5:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

64°F

Cleveland, TN

151 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

7 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

5h 48m 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 Brighton, TN covers 301.3 miles and takes about 5h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, I 81, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 150.7 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 $45.76 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.

Between Johnson City, TN and Brighton, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, 41A: Monteagle and Sewanee.

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Return Trip

Brighton, TN to Johnson City, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

299.6 mi 5h 44m

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Trip from Johnson City, TN to Brighton, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Brighton, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Johnson City, TN

Brighton, TN

1 hour earlier

7 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 48m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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