Origin
Kingsport, TN
Afternoon in Kingsport on Thursday
Local time
12:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kingsport, TN to Signal Mountain, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 6m
Distance
214.9 mi
346 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 53m
★
6 AM
4h 6m
8 AM
4h 32m
10 AM
4h 15m
12 PM
4h 13m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 31m
8 PM
3h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Signal Mountain, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Kingsport, TN to Signal Mountain, TN covers 214.9 miles and takes about 4h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, I 40, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.1 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.60 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
107.4 miles from Kingsport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 214.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 6m highway drive covering 214.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and I 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 83.1 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. 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 75.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 214.9 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.3 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese 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 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
7
198.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, 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.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
205.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
US 27
Take the exit onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
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 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
10
205.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
6
205.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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 Signal Mountain, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Chattanooga.
Nashville
198.9 mi in
|
~3h 42m
Chattanooga
199.5 mi in
|
~3h 43m
|
via I 24
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 83.1 mi | 1h 31m |
| I 40 | 52.8 mi | 59m |
| I 81 | 50.1 mi | 53m |
| I 24 | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| US 27 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| South Wilcox Drive | 4 mi | 6m |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Signal Mountain Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsport, TN and Signal Mountain, 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
83 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 24
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville
20
Take the exit onto US 27
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 27
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 27
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
US 27
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward US 127 North: Signal Mountain
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
25
Turn straight onto US 127
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Signal Mountain Road
26
Continue on US 127
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Signal Mountain Boulevard
27
Turn sharp left onto Mississippi Avenue
189 ft
·
8 sec
·
Mississippi Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Mississippi Avenue
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 107.4 miles from Kingsport, TN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Signal Mountain, 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 214.9 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 75 for about 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.4 mi from Kingsport, TN · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.4 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 miles.
Arriving in Signal Mountain, TN
The final approach into Signal Mountain, 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 Signal Mountain, 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
$33.60 one way
$67.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.89 | $73.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.36 | $82.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.45 | $94.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.56 | $10.32 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.80 | $8.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86 | 1 | $30.09 | $13.75 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Signal Mountain, TN
Afternoon in Signal Mountain on Thursday
Local time
12:20 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
4h 6m 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 Signal Mountain, TN covers 214.9 miles and takes about 4h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 40, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.4 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 $33.60 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 214.9 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.3 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kingsport, TN and Signal Mountain, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Chattanooga.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Signal Mountain, TN
More trips to Signal Mountain, TN
Explore more options from Kingsport, TN or browse trips ending in Signal Mountain, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Kingsport, TN or Signal Mountain, TN on MapSof.net.