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Drive Time
5h 17m
Distance
265.9 mi
428 km
Drive Score
9/10
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
Wikimedia Commons
Tullahoma, TN
Kelly
The drive from Johnson City, TN to Tullahoma, TN covers 265.9 miles and takes about 5h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 81, Sparta Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.7 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
132.9 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
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This is a 5h 17m highway drive covering 265.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 98.7 miles on I 40.
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 0.1 miles in near Buffalo Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 265.9 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 81 South: Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Johnson City, TN to Tullahoma, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 98.7 mi | 1h 48m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| Sparta Highway | 29.1 mi | 42m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| Manchester Highway | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Bone Cave Parkway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Memorial Highway | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| McMinnville Highway | 7.6 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Tullahoma, 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
Turn left onto SR 101
Enter roundabout onto US 70; SR 101
Continue on US 70; SR 101
Turn right onto US 70
Turn left onto US 70
Continue on US 70
Turn left onto TN 1
Continue on TN 1
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 70S; SR 111
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70S
Continue on US 70S
Continue on US 70S
Continue on US 70S
Continue on US 70S
Continue on SR 55
Continue on SR 55
Merge onto SR 55
Continue on SR 55
Continue on SR 55
Continue on SR 55
Continue on SR 55
Turn right onto US 41A; SR 55; SR 130
Turn right onto West Lauderdale Street
Turn left onto Southwest Atlantic Street
Arrive at destination
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 132.9 miles or 2h 29m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tullahoma, 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 265.9 miles and 5h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 132.9 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 132.9 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 98.7 miles.
The final approach into Tullahoma, 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 Tullahoma, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$41.57 one way
$83.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.64 | $91.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.17 | $102.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.71 | $117.41 |
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: 93 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.92 | $12.76 |
| Efficient EV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.27 | $10.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.4 | 1 | $37.23 | $17.02 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night in Johnson City on Wednesday
Local time
2:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Tullahoma on Wednesday
Local time
1:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
61°F
Johnson, TN
133 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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