Drive Time
5h 48m
Distance
301.3 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Long day tripThe drive from Johnson City, TN to Brighton, TN covers 301.3 miles and takes about 5h 48m 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 $44.73 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
150.7 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 48m drive with frequent turns across 301.3 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 |
| I 75 South | 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 Brighton, 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 left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Continue on Chattanooga, Nashville
Take the exit slight right toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
Turn slight right
Turn left onto West Main Street
Continue on David Crockett Highway
Continue on Sewanee Highway
Continue on Sollace M Freeman Highway
Continue on Sewanee Highway
Continue on Cumberland Street East
Continue on Cowan Highway
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Drive
Continue on David Crockett Highway
Continue on Winchester Highway
Turn left onto Flintville Road
Turn right onto Howell Hill Road
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.7 miles or 2h 54m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brighton, 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 301.3 miles and 5h 48m.
These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.
Late stop town
Meal stop
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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150.7 mi from Johnson City, TN
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 150.7 miles from Johnson City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| regular | $3.77 | $44.73 | $89.46 |
| midgrade | $4.25 | $50.45 | $100.90 |
| premium | $4.65 | $55.21 | $110.41 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $62.92 | $125.83 |
Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 105.4 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Compare the departure city with the arrival city before you leave so the route feels predictable, not reactive.
Origin
Late night in Johnson City on Saturday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Brighton on Saturday
Local time
3:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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.
Explore more options from Johnson City, TN or browse trips ending in Brighton, TN .
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