Origin
Kingsport, TN
Evening in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kingsport, TN to Dandridge, TN
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
68.8 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dandridge, TN
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through Southeast Tennessee, the 68.8-mile journey from Kingsport to Dandridge is an ideal candidate for a simple day trip. You can expect the drive to take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, making it a highly efficient connection between these two locations. With a fuel budget of roughly $10, it is an economical choice for travelers looking to move between cities without excessive overhead. Since the entire route is well within a single day's reach, you do not need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless your plans in Dandridge require an extended stay. This straightforward path serves as a practical link for those navigating the region, offering a reliable pace for your itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
34.4 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-81, which accounts for a 50.1-mile stretch of the journey, providing a steady and consistent rhythm. The route begins with local navigation via South Wilcox Drive and Sullivan Gardens Drive before transitioning into the faster interstate environment. Because this is primarily an interstate drive, you will find the road surface and traffic patterns to be predictable throughout the duration. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over the slower, winding nature of secondary mountain or rural roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and South Wilcox Drive. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.8 miles you will encounter 14 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Broad Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Broad Street
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
3.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
TN 93 / Sullivan Gardens Parkway
Turn right onto TN 93 / Sullivan Gardens Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
66 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward SR 92: Dandrige, Jefferson City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 92: Dandrige, Jefferson City
6
66.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 92 South: Dandrige
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward SR 92 South: Dandrige
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 50.1 mi | 53m |
| South Wilcox Drive | 4 mi | 6m |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| I 40 | 3 mi | 3m |
| SR 92 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| TN 93 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Sullivan Gardens Parkway | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 50.1 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Dandridge, TN.
1
Start on TN 36
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Center Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto Broad Street
436 ft
·
12 sec
·
Broad Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
4
Continue on Broad Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Broad Street
5
Turn left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
6
Continue on East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Sullivan Street
7
Turn right onto TN 126
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Wilcox Drive
8
Turn right onto TN 93
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Wilcox Drive
10
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Sullivan Gardens Drive
11
Continue on TN 93
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
TN 93
12
Continue on SR 93
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
SR 93
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
14
Merge onto I 81
49 mi
·
52 min
·
I 81
15
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
16
Merge onto I 40
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward SR 92: Dandrige, Jefferson City
18
Keep slight left at fork
262 ft
·
8 sec
Toward SR 92 South: Dandrige
19
Turn left onto SR 92
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
SR 92
20
Turn right onto SR 92
525 ft
·
15 sec
·
Chestnut Hill Road
21
Turn left onto East Main Street
74 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Because the total duration is only 1 hour and 20 minutes, you have significant flexibility with your departure time, though avoiding peak commuting hours on I-81 is always a smart move. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 68.8-mile stretch, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to refuel mid-way. Keep in mind that the longest uninterrupted segment is 50.1 miles; ensure your vehicle is prepped for a continuous highway run before leaving Kingsport. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your schedule around your arrival in Dandridge rather than worrying about mid-trip logistics. Prioritize checking local traffic reports for the I-81 corridor before you head out to ensure the smoothest possible transition.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.4 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.1 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 68.8 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.4 miles or 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dandridge, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 68.8 miles and 1h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kingsport, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 50.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.4 mi from Kingsport, TN · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 68.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Kingsport, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dandridge, TN
The final approach into Dandridge, 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 Dandridge, 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
$10.45 one way
$20.90 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.52 | $23.04 |
| premium | $4.80 | $12.99 | $25.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.28 | $30.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Dandridge, TN
Evening in Dandridge on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 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
1h 20m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Kingsport, TN to Dandridge, TN covers 68.8 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, South Wilcox Drive, Sullivan Gardens Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.4 miles from Kingsport, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
The route from Kingsport, TN to Dandridge, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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