Origin
Kingston Springs, TN
Evening in Kingston Springs on Thursday
Local time
8:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kingston Springs, TN to Johnson City, TN
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 41m
Distance
306.9 mi
494 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 28m
★
6 AM
5h 41m
8 AM
6h 8m
10 AM
5h 50m
12 PM
5h 48m
3 PM
5h 52m
5 PM
6h 6m
8 PM
5h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kingston Springs, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 306.9 miles across Tennessee, this journey from Kingston Springs to Johnson City is a significant commitment that takes approximately 5 hours and 41 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it is best suited as a full-day endeavor. You should budget roughly $47 for fuel to complete the trip. While it technically functions as a single-day drive, the turn-heavy nature of the route may leave you feeling fatigued by the time you reach the eastern part of the state. It is a great choice if you prefer the pace of local roads over the monotony of high-speed transit.
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
153.4 miles from Kingston Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 306.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a technical and engaging experience as this route features zero highway miles, relying instead on local paths like North Main Street, West Kingston Spring, and Luyben Hills Road. The drive is defined by its turn-heavy profile, which demands your full attention behind the wheel throughout the 306.9-mile journey. Unlike a standard interstate cruise, you will face constant shifts in direction and elevation as you navigate these local roads. This is a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and geometry change frequently. Be prepared to spend nearly six hours managing these winding local stretches.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 41m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Kingston Springs, TN to Johnson City, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Main Street | — | — |
| West Kingston Spring | — | — |
| Luyben Hills Road | — | — |
| I 40 East | — | — |
| Downtown Loop | — | — |
| I 81 North | — | — |
| I 26 East | — | — |
| James H | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingston Springs, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on the route
66 ft
·
6 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto West Kingston Spring
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Kingston Spring
4
Turn right onto Luyben Hills Road
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Luyben Hills Road
5
Take the ramp left toward I 40 East: Nashville
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 40 East: Nashville
6
Merge slight left
19 mi
·
21 min
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
8
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
9
Continue on Downtown Loop
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Downtown Loop
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
174 mi
·
3 hr 9 min
·
I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
11
Keep slight left
37 mi
·
40 min
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81 North: Bristol
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
14
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
15
Take the exit slight right toward TN 91
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
TN 91
16
Turn right onto East Market Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
17
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
18
Turn right
433 ft
·
32 sec
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To manage the 5 hour and 41 minute duration comfortably, plan to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs, as the continuous turns can be physically taxing. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $47 estimate may fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency on these non-highway roads. Given the lack of high-speed segments, prioritize maintaining a steady, patient pace rather than trying to make up time. A helpful tip for this specific trip is to download your maps for offline use, as navigating local roads through rural patches can lead to spotty cellular service.
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 153.4 miles from Kingston Springs, TN, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
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 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.4 miles or 2h 50m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson City, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kingston Springs, 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 Kingston Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 306.9 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Kingston Springs, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.4 mi from Kingston Springs, TN · 2h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.4 miles from Kingston Springs, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Johnson City, TN
The final approach into Johnson City, 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 City, 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
$47.98 one way
$95.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $52.68 | $105.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $59.06 | $118.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.76 | $135.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.1 | 1 | $32.22 | $14.73 |
| Efficient EV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.85 | $12.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.8 | 1 | $42.97 | $19.64 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Night in Johnson City on Thursday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, TN
153 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 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 41m 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 Kingston Springs, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 306.9 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Main Street, West Kingston Spring, Luyben Hills Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.4 miles from Kingston Springs, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.98 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 straightforward 5h 41m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Kingston Springs, TN to Johnson City, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Kingston Springs, TN to Johnson City, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Johnson City, TN to Kingston Springs, TNPlan the drive back the other way.
307.1 mi
5h 42m
Continue From Johnson City, TN
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