Origin
Johnson City, TN
Late night in Johnson City on Saturday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson City, TN to Lewisburg, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 8m
Distance
324 mi
521 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 55m
★
6 AM
6h 8m
8 AM
6h 34m
10 AM
6h 17m
12 PM
6h 14m
3 PM
6h 18m
5 PM
6h 32m
8 PM
6h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Lewisburg, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Johnson City, TN to Lewisburg, TN covers 324 miles and takes about 6h 8m 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, Tennessee National Guard Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 185.5 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.65 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
162 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 8m. Total distance: 324 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 8m highway drive covering 324 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 185.5 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 0.1 miles in near Buffalo Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 324 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 125.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Buffalo Street
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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 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
8
293 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
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 42
Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Johnson City, TN and Lewisburg, 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 | 34.1 mi | 36m |
| Horton Highway | 15.5 mi | 23m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| Nashville Highway | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| North Horton Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North 2nd Avenue | 0.6 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 Lewisburg, 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 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 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
34 mi
·
36 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 42
Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 31A; US 41A
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Horton Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31A
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Horton Highway
18
Continue on US 31A; SR 99
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Horton Parkway
19
Continue on US 31A; SR 99
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Nashville Highway
20
Continue on US 31A Business; US 431 Business
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Verona Avenue
21
Continue on US 31A Business; US 431 Business
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
North 2nd Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto US 31A Business; US 431 Business
247 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 2nd Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 3h 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 71 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162 miles or 3h 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewisburg, 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 324 miles and 6h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 162 mi from Johnson City, TN · 3h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
162 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 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 162 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 185.5 miles.
Arriving in Lewisburg, TN
The final approach into Lewisburg, 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 Lewisburg, 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
$50.65 one way
$101.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $55.62 | $111.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $62.35 | $124.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $71.54 | $143.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.2 | 1 | $34.02 | $15.55 |
| Efficient EV | 81 | 0 | $28.35 | $12.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.6 | 1 | $45.36 | $20.74 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Lewisburg, TN
Late night in Lewisburg on Saturday
Local time
2:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, TN
162 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
6 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
6h 8m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Lewisburg, TN covers 324 miles and takes about 6h 8m 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 162 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 $50.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 324 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 0.1 miles (Buffalo Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Between Johnson City, TN and Lewisburg, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lewisburg, TN
More trips to Lewisburg, TN
Explore more options from Johnson City, TN or browse trips ending in Lewisburg, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.