Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
248.3 mi
400 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Photo: Kelly
The drive from Johnson City, TN to Altamont, TN covers 248.3 miles and takes about 4h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Buffalo Street, North Roan Street, East Watauga Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.86 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
124.1 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 57m drive with frequent turns across 248.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Roan Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Watauga Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Oak Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| James H | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 81 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Nashville | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Altamont, TN.
Start on the route
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Turn right onto East Watauga Avenue
Turn left onto Oak Street
Take the ramp straight
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Knoxville
Merge slight left
Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
Take the exit slight right toward US 27, TN 61: Harriman, Rockwood
Turn left onto South Roane Street
Continue on North Gateway Avenue
Continue on Spring City Highway
Continue on Rhea County Highway
Continue on Dayton Pike
Take the exit slight right
Merge slight left
Continue straight
Continue straight
Turn left onto Rifle Range Road
Continue on Artillery Road
Continue on Rifle Range Road
At the end of the road, turn right
Turn right
Turn right onto Cumberland Street
Arrive at your 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.1 miles or 2h 28m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altamont, 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 248.3 miles and 4h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.1 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 124.1 miles from Johnson City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Altamont, 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 Altamont, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$36.86 one way
$73.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.58 | $83.15 |
| premium | $4.65 | $45.50 | $90.99 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $51.85 | $103.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.07 | $11.92 |
| Efficient EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.73 | $9.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.3 | 1 | $34.76 | $15.89 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Johnson City on Saturday
Local time
10:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Altamont on Saturday
Local time
9:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
124 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.
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