Origin
Knoxville, TN
Evening in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
8:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to Kingsport, TN
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
97.6 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Knoxville to Kingsport, you are looking at a straightforward 97.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 51 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within the Southeast region of Tennessee, it works perfectly as a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel, making this an economical option for a quick transit between these two cities. Because the route is compact and efficient, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without feeling rushed. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you from point A to point B with minimal logistical complexity.
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
48.8 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of your time spent on major thoroughfares like I-40, I-81, and South Wilcox Drive. You will spend the bulk of your journey on the interstate, including a significant 50.5-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-81. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience as you navigate these high-speed lanes across the Tennessee landscape. The road personality is defined by its efficiency rather than technical curves or local backroads, so prepare for a steady cruise. It is a functional route designed for travelers who prioritize speed and direct access over 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 20 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 50.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 97.6 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 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,...
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
84.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
84.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
7
97.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
TN 36 / West Center Street
Turn left onto TN 36 / West Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Fall Branch
84.6 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 50.5 mi | 54m |
| I 40 | 33.2 mi | 36m |
| South Wilcox Drive | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Sullivan Gardens Drive | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| TN 93 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Sullivan Gardens Parkway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| SR 93 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 50.5 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Kingsport, 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
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
7
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft
·
14 sec
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
SR 93
9
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
TN 93
10
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Sullivan Gardens Drive
11
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Wilcox Drive
12
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sullivan Gardens Parkway
13
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Sullivan Street
15
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
16
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Broad Street
17
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
18
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft
·
19 sec
·
Broad Street
19
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Center Street
Use the none lane.
20
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. With no mandatory stops required to complete the 97.6-mile distance, you can power through the entire route in under two hours if you prefer. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on I-81, so stay alert for typical interstate traffic patterns that might influence your arrival time. Because the route is so direct, fueling up before you leave Knoxville should easily get you to Kingsport without needing to pull over for gas. Use this efficiency to your advantage by choosing a departure time that helps you avoid peak commuting hours in either city.
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 48.8 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.5 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 48.8 miles or 54m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsport, 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 97.6 miles and 1h 51m.
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 50.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.8 mi from Knoxville, TN · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 48.8 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kingsport, TN
The final approach into Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, 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
$14.82 one way
$29.65 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.34 | $32.68 |
| premium | $4.80 | $18.42 | $36.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.68 | $43.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.25 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Kingsport, TN
Evening in Kingsport on Sunday
Local time
8:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
2 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 51m 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 Kingsport, TN covers 97.6 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 40, South Wilcox Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.8 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 $14.82 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 97.6 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Kingsport, TN
More trips to Kingsport, TN
Explore more options from Knoxville, TN or browse trips ending in Kingsport, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Knoxville, TN or Kingsport, TN on MapSof.net.