Origin
Knoxville, TN
Evening in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
105.8 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Knoxville to Johnson City, you are looking at a straightforward 105.8-mile journey through the Southeast. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 58 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Since the drive is relatively short, you likely won't need to worry about overnight accommodations unless your schedule requires it. Budget approximately $16 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this route is entirely within Tennessee, you can anticipate a consistent travel experience as you navigate between these two regional hubs.
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
52.9 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your time spent on major routes like I-40, I-81, and the James H. Quillen Parkway. You will quickly settle into a steady rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 56.6 miles on I-81. Expect a functional, efficient commute rather than a winding backroads tour. The transition between these high-speed interstates and the local parkway keeps the drive moving at a consistent pace throughout the journey. It is a predictable, utilitarian route that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 56.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 40. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 105.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the exit toward I 40, I 275 North: Nashville, Asheville, Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40, I 275 North: Nashville, Asheville,...
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
34.1 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
90.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, As...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
90.7 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| I 40 | 33.2 mi | 36m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| East Market Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Henley Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Buffalo Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on US 441
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Henley Street
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 40, I 275 North: Nashville, Asheville, Lexington
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
4
Merge onto I 40
33 mi
·
36 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
7
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
9
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
10
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick sub-two-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for formal stops, as the duration is manageable without a designated break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Knoxville; while the estimated cost is only $16, ensuring you have a full tank will save you from stopping mid-transit. Given the high percentage of highway driving, stay alert for heavy traffic patterns on I-81, which often serves as a primary corridor for regional travel. Use the direct nature of this route to your advantage by planning your arrival in Johnson City for the start of your day.
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 52.9 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.9 miles or 58m 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 34m
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 Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, TN
This is one driving day of about 105.8 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Knoxville, 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 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.9 mi from Knoxville, TN · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.9 miles from Knoxville, 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
$16.07 one way
$32.14 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $17.72 | $35.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $19.97 | $39.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.51 | $47.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.11 | $5.08 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.26 | $4.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.81 | $6.77 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Johnson City, TN
Evening in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
4 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
1h 58m 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 Knoxville, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 105.8 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 40, James H. Quillen Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.9 miles from Knoxville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.07 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 105.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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