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Trip from Kingsport, TN to Johnson, TN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

144.2 mi

232 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 39m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Johnson, TN

WoodysMedia

Trip Overview

The drive from Kingsport, TN to Johnson, TN covers 144.2 miles and takes about 2h 49m 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, I 75 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 52.8 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.54 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

72.1 miles from Kingsport, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 144.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 49m highway drive covering 144.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 52.8 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 52.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. 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.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144.2 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 62.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These 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
62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
115.7 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
5
137.6 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Take the exit toward SR 322: Sweetwater

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 62 Toward SR 322: Sweetwater

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 52.8 mi 59m
I 81 50.1 mi 53m
I 75 21.9 mi 23m
Oakland Road 4.8 mi 8m
South Wilcox Drive 4 mi 6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive 3.1 mi 3m
TN 93 2.3 mi 2m
Sullivan Gardens Parkway 1.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 52.8 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Johnson, TN.

1

Start on TN 36

0.1 mi · 24 sec · West Center Street
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
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

53 mi · 59 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

22 mi · 23 min · I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 62 Toward SR 322: Sweetwater
19

Turn right onto SR 322

4.8 mi · 8 min · Oakland Road
20

Turn left onto Raby Town Road

0.7 mi · 2 min · Raby Town Road
21

Keep slight left at fork onto Raby Town Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Raby Town Road
22

Continue on Raby Town Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Raby Town Road
23

Arrive at destination

Raby Town Road

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.1 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.8 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 32 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 72.1 miles or 1h 22m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson, 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 144.2 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Kingsport, 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 52.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.1 mi from Kingsport, TN · 1h 22m into the drive

city in Sevier County, Tennessee, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sevierville, TN

72 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.

Popular next leg

Sevierville, TN to Johnson, TN

73.3 mi · 1h 33m

Pacing Suggestions

Greeneville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sevierville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.1 miles from Kingsport, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Johnson, TN

The final approach into Johnson, 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 Johnson, TN.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Two Dads Cafe 'N Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kingsport, Tennessee

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14233924005

Visit website

Two Dads Cafe 'N Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kingsport, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14233924005

Visit website

Cultivate Coffee + Flowers

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.7

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18652537560

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.7

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 72.1

Kodak, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 72.1

Kodak, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336224743

Visit website

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 92.7

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Kingsport Speedway

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Kingsport, Tennessee

+14232885992

Visit website

Frank Lorino Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 51.5

Morristown, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14235816451

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 74.6
Park Closure: Abrams Falls Trail Closed
Park Closure: Seasonal road closures
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.54 one way

$45.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.75 $49.50
premium $4.89 $27.75 $55.50
diesel $5.61 $31.84 $63.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

2 DC fast chargers · Coverage: fair

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

Kodak, Tennessee

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Kodak, Tennessee

Tesla

1 DCFC

Other: 1 Tesla: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.3 0 $15.14 $6.92
Efficient EV 36.1 0 $12.62 $5.77
EV Truck/SUV 57.7 0 $20.19 $9.23

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kingsport, TN

Night in Kingsport on Thursday

Local time

9:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Johnson, TN

Night in Johnson on Thursday

Local time

9:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°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

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

2h 49m 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 Johnson, TN covers 144.2 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.1 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 $22.54 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144.2 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 62.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Kingsport, TN to Johnson, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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