Trip from Johnson City, TN to Jamestown, TN

Drive 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

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 54m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m

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

Downtown Johnson City, TN, TN

Johnson City, TN

Kelly

Downtown Jamestown, TN, TN

Jamestown, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 185.5 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 0.4 miles in near North Roan Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

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.
7
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. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward Nashville
8
257.8 mi into trip | ~4h 43m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 235 Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
7
277.2 mi into trip | ~5h 4m in

Take the exit toward Sulphur Springs Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 57 Toward Sulphur Springs Road
8
277.5 mi into trip | ~5h 5m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Sulphur Springs Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Sulphur Springs Road

Towns Along This Route

Between Johnson City, TN and Jamestown, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.

Nashville

125.1 mi in | ~2h 20m | via I 40

Murfreesboro

257.8 mi in | ~4h 43m

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 40 — 185.5 mi, about 3h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

133 mi · 2 hr 22 min · I 40
Toward Nashville Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min
Exit 235 Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 840

18 mi · 19 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 57 Toward Sulphur Springs Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

94 ft · 7 sec
Toward Sulphur Springs Road Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn left onto Sulphur Springs Road

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Sulphur Springs Road
18

Turn left onto Leanna Road

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Leanna Road
19

Arrive at destination

Leanna Road

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.2 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 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.

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 278.4 miles and 5h 7m.

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 185.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

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.

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 139.2 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 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.5 miles.

Arriving in Jamestown, TN

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.29 one way

$84.57 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
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.

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

Jamestown, TN

Evening in Jamestown on Sunday

Local time

5:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

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 7m 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 Jamestown, TN covers 278.4 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Tennessee National Guard 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 139.2 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 $42.29 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 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.
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.
Between Johnson City, TN and Jamestown, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.

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Return Trip

Jamestown, TN to Johnson City, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

277.5 mi 5h 6m

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