Origin
Johnson City, TN
Late night in Johnson City on Friday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
303.2 mi
488 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Pegram, TN
Google DeepMind
This 303.2-mile journey from Johnson City, TN to Pegram, TN is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 37 minutes of driving time. With 96% of the route on highways, it's a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost is around $47, making it an economical option for a single-day excursion. You'll traverse primarily within the Southeast region, staying within Tennessee for the entire trip. This route is best suited for those prioritizing a direct path with minimal detours.
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
151.6 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 303.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 96% of the mileage on major interstates like I-40 and I-81, plus the James H. Quillen Parkway. The personality of the road is predominantly that of efficient travel, designed for covering distance. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 221.5 miles entirely on I-40, meaning extended periods of consistent speed and minimal traffic interruptions. While largely interstate, this drive offers a consistent pace for the majority of its 303.2 miles.
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 0.4 miles in near North Roan Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 303.2 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 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 279.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 70S: Bellevue, Newsom Station
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Newsom Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Johnson City, TN and Pegram, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
Memphis
Louisville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 221.5 mi | 4h 2m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| Charlotte Pike | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Memphis-Bristol Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| East Watauga Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Roan Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Pegram, 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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Merge onto I 40
Continue on I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 70S
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
Arrive at destination
For this 5-hour and 37-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Johnson City to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach your destination. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 303.2 miles strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Given the substantial 221.5-mile stretch on I-40, ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. The $47 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check local prices before you leave.
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 67 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.6 miles or 2h 49m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pegram, 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 303.2 miles and 5h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.6 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 151.6 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 221.5 miles.
The final approach into Pegram, 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 Pegram, 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.
Regular Gas
$47.40 one way
$94.80 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $52.05 | $104.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $58.35 | $116.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.94 | $133.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91 | 1 | $31.84 | $14.55 |
| Efficient EV | 75.8 | 0 | $26.53 | $12.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.3 | 1 | $42.45 | $19.40 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Johnson City on Friday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Pegram on Friday
Local time
4:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
76°F
Johnson, TN
152 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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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