Origin
Johnson City, TN
Evening in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 7m
Distance
278.4 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Jamestown, TN
Kelly
If you are planning to travel from Johnson City to Jamestown, expect a 278.4-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 7 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the trip in a single day, making it a straightforward option for those looking to reach their destination without multiple overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $42 for fuel will cover your transit across Tennessee. You will primarily utilize I-81 and I-40 before navigating onto the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to reach your destination. The route stays entirely within the Southeast region, ensuring a consistent travel experience as you cross the state.
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
139.2 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 99% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on major interstates, including a significant 185.5-mile stretch on I-40 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. While the drive is focused on speed and distance rather than winding local roads, the transition from the interstate system to the Tennessee National Guard Parkway provides a shift in pace toward the end of your journey. Prepare for a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel that prioritizes time management over technical driving maneuvers.
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 0.4 miles in near North Roan Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 278.4 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 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Sulphur Springs Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Sulphur Springs Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Johnson City, TN and Jamestown, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Nashville
Murfreesboro
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 185.5 mi | 3h 22m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 18.4 mi | 19m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| Leanna Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Sulphur Springs Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Watauga Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Roan Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Jamestown, TN.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Turn right onto SR 400
Turn left onto Oak Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81
Continue on I 81
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Continue on I 840
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto Sulphur Springs Road
Turn left onto Leanna Road
Arrive at destination
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential congestion on the interstate segments. Since the trip is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to plan your single recommended stop based on your personal comfort level rather than time constraints. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 185.5-mile stretch on I-40, as this is where you will spend the majority of your time and burn the most gas. Ensure your vehicle is ready for a long period of sustained highway speeds, as this route is designed for consistent movement rather than frequent exits.
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.
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 139.2 miles or 2h 36m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamestown, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 278.4 miles and 5h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.2 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 139.2 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 185.5 miles.
The final approach into Jamestown, 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 Jamestown, 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.
Regular Gas
$42.29 one way
$84.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $46.62 | $93.23 |
| premium | $4.80 | $52.56 | $105.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.85 | $123.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.5 | 1 | $29.23 | $13.36 |
| Efficient EV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.36 | $11.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.4 | 1 | $38.98 | $17.82 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Jamestown on Sunday
Local time
5:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
139 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
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.
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