Origin
Kingsport, TN
Evening in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
8:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 7m
Distance
165 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crossville, TN
Kelly
Connecting Kingsport to Crossville, this 165-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Southeast that typically takes about 3 hours and 7 minutes. Since the drive is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete the trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-81 and I-40, with a brief start on South Wilcox Drive. Expect to budget roughly $25 for fuel to cover the distance. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this highway-focused route is designed for efficiency and steady progress through Tennessee.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.5 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Expect a high-speed travel experience, as 94% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on major interstates, providing a consistent pace behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted segment is a 98.7-mile stretch on I-40, which demands sustained focus while cruising. Because the route prioritizes major arteries, it lacks the technical navigation of backroads, offering a predictable, interstate-heavy journey from start to finish.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Broad Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.8 miles (TN 93 / Sullivan Gardens Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Broad Street
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto TN 93 / Sullivan Gardens Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
On the drive from Kingsport, TN to Crossville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 98.7 mi | 1h 48m |
| I 81 | 50.1 mi | 53m |
| South Wilcox Drive | 4 mi | 6m |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| US 70 | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| TN 93 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Sullivan Gardens Parkway | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Crossville, TN.
Start on TN 36
Turn right onto Broad Street
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
Continue on Broad Street
Turn left onto East Main Street
Continue on East Sullivan Street
Turn right onto TN 126
Turn right onto TN 93
Continue on SR 93
Continue on SR 93
Continue on TN 93
Continue on SR 93
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81
Continue on I 81
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 101
Enter roundabout onto US 70; SR 101
Continue on US 70; SR 101
Turn right onto US 127
Arrive at destination
Planning your departure allows you to maximize your time, as the 3-hour duration offers plenty of flexibility for a single-day trip. With only one recommended stop, you should aim to time your break to coincide with the transition between I-81 and I-40 to keep your momentum steady. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the long 98.7-mile stretch of I-40, as service options can be spaced out during that segment. By preparing your route in advance, you can avoid unnecessary fatigue and enjoy a smooth transition between these two Tennessee hubs.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.5 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crossville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, TN
This is one driving day of about 165 miles and 3h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.5 mi from Kingsport, TN · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 82.5 miles from Kingsport, 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 98.7 miles.
The final approach into Crossville, 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 Crossville, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.06 one way
$50.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.63 | $55.26 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.15 | $62.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.66 | $73.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.33 | $7.92 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.44 | $6.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66 | 0 | $23.10 | $10.56 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Evening in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
8:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Crossville on Sunday
Local time
7:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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