The drive from Kingsport, TN to Ashland City, TN covers 295.4 miles and takes about 5h 35m 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, Ashland City Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 209.8 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.18 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
147.7 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 295.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 35m highway drive covering 295.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 209.8 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 27 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 209.8 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 115.7 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 295.4 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 115.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
9
270.6 mi into trip|~4h 57m in|I 40
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
272.7 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
8
275.4 mi into trip|~5h 4m in|Downtown Loop
Take the exit onto Downtown Loop toward I 65 South: Huntsville, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 46B
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville, Memphis
8
276.8 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 41A, SR 12: Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, Downtown Nashville
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 85
Toward US 41A, SR 12: Rosa L. Parks Boulevard,...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kingsport, TN and Ashland City, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Louisville and Memphis.
Nashville
115.7 mi in|~2h 11m|via I 40
Louisville
272.7 mi in|~5h 1m|via I 24
Memphis
275.4 mi in|~5h 4m|via Downtown Loop
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
209.8 mi
3h 49m
I 81
50.1 mi
53m
Ashland City Highway
14.2 mi
21m
South Wilcox Drive
4 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
3.7 mi
5m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
TN 93
2.3 mi
2m
Rosa L Parks Boulevard
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 209.8 mi, about 3h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Ashland City, 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 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
16
Merge onto I 40
53 mi·59 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto Downtown Loop
1.4 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 46BToward I 65 South: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 85Toward US 41A, SR 12: Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, Downtown NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn sharp right onto US 41A
1.8 mi·2 min·Rosa L Parks Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn straight onto US 41A
1.2 mi·2 min·US 41A
25
Turn left onto TN 12
14 mi·21 min·Ashland City Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on TN 12
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
TN 12; TN 49; TN 249
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.7 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.8 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 65 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 2h 45m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland City, 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 295.4 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 209.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.7 mi from Kingsport, TN
· 2h 45m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 254.7
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 71.3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.6
1
$31.02
$14.18
Efficient EV
73.9
0
$25.85
$11.82
EV Truck/SUV
118.2
1
$41.36
$18.91
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Kingsport, TN
Late night
in Kingsport on Saturday
Local time
1:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ashland City, TN
Late night
in Ashland City on Saturday
Local time
12:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, TN
148 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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 35m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Kingsport, TN to Ashland City, TN covers 295.4 miles and takes about 5h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Ashland City Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.7 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 $46.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 17 significant decision points across 295.4 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 115.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kingsport, TN and Ashland City, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Louisville and Memphis.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
