Origin
Johnson City, TN
Late night in Johnson City on Friday
Local time
12:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson City, TN to Kingston Springs, TN
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 42m
Distance
307.1 mi
494 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 29m
★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Kingston Springs, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 307.1 miles across Tennessee, this journey from Johnson City to Kingston Springs takes approximately 5 hours and 42 minutes to complete. Because this route involves a turn-heavy local drive rather than a direct interstate sprint, you should plan for a full day of travel. Budgeting roughly $47 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip's expenses. While it is technically possible to finish the drive in a single day, the winding nature of the roads makes it a demanding experience behind the wheel. You will remain within the Southeast region for the entirety of the trip, transitioning from the eastern edge of the state toward the middle. It serves as a practical route if you prefer local roads over high-speed highway travel.
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
153.5 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 307.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a technical and engaging experience as you navigate away from the interstate system. With a highway share of 0%, this route relies entirely on local roads like Buffalo Street, North Roan Street, and East Watauga Avenue. You will spend your time navigating turns rather than maintaining a steady cruise-control pace on a major highway. The personality of this drive is defined by its constant shifts in direction, requiring your full attention throughout the 307.1-mile trek. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, the journey maintains a consistent, hands-on feel that keeps you focused on the road ahead.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Buffalo Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Johnson City, TN to Kingston Springs, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Street | — | — |
| North Roan Street | — | — |
| East Watauga Avenue | — | — |
| Oak Street | — | — |
| James H | — | — |
| I 81 South | — | — |
| I 40 West | — | — |
| Nashville | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Buffalo Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Kingston Springs, TN.
1
Start on the route
433 ft
·
35 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
Buffalo Street
3
Turn left onto North Roan Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Roan Street
4
Turn right onto East Watauga Avenue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Watauga Avenue
5
Turn left onto Oak Street
443 ft
·
11 sec
·
Oak Street
6
Take the ramp straight
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
7
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Knoxville
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 81 South: Knoxville
9
Merge slight left
56 mi
·
1 hr
10
Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 40 West: Knoxville
11
Merge slight left
53 mi
·
59 min
12
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
Nashville
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
15
Merge slight right onto Downtown Loop
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
16
Continue on Downtown Loop
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Memphis
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 40 West: Memphis
18
Take the exit slight right toward SR 249: Kingston Springs, Ashland City
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
SR 249: Kingston Springs, Ashland City
19
Turn right onto Luyben Hills Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Luyben Hills Road
20
Turn left onto West Kingston Spring
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Kingston Spring
21
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Main Street
22
Turn left
66 ft
·
5 sec
23
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this 5-hour and 42-minute drive is quite intensive, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and stay alert. You have one scheduled stop planned, which is essential for stretching your legs given the turn-heavy nature of the route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the local roads may result in different consumption patterns than standard highway driving. Since you are utilizing local streets, be prepared for varying speed limits and local traffic patterns that you wouldn't encounter on an interstate. A concrete tip for this specific journey is to double-check your navigation before leaving Johnson City, as the reliance on local roads like Buffalo Street and North Roan Street requires more frequent turns than a typical cross-state trip.
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 153.5 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
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 68 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.5 miles or 2h 51m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingston Springs, 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 307.1 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.5 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.5 miles from Johnson City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kingston Springs, TN
The final approach into Kingston Springs, 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 Kingston Springs, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.01 one way
$96.02 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $52.71 | $105.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $59.10 | $118.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.80 | $135.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.1 | 1 | $32.25 | $14.74 |
| Efficient EV | 76.8 | 0 | $26.87 | $12.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.8 | 1 | $42.99 | $19.65 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Destination
Kingston Springs, TN
Night in Kingston Springs on Thursday
Local time
11:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, TN
154 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
10 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 42m 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 Kingston Springs, TN covers 307.1 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Buffalo Street, North Roan Street, East Watauga Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.5 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 $48.01 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 straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Johnson City, TN to Kingston Springs, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Johnson City, TN to Kingston Springs, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Kingston Springs, TN to Johnson City, TNPlan the drive back the other way.
306.9 mi
5h 41m
Continue From Kingston Springs, TN
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