Trip from Lafayette, TN to Kingsport, TN

Drive Time

5h 1m

Distance

258.6 mi

416 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 48m ★

6 AM

5h 1m

8 AM

5h 28m

10 AM

5h 11m

12 PM

5h 8m

3 PM

5h 12m

5 PM

5h 27m

8 PM

4h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Lafayette, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 258.6 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Lafayette to Kingsport takes approximately 5 hours and 1 minute of pure drive time. Since the entire route stays within the Southeast, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere from start to finish. Expect a fuel budget of about $38 to cover the distance, making it a relatively affordable day trip. While you could technically complete the journey in one day, the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you should prepare for a focused, active driving experience. It serves as a practical connection between these two points, perfect for travelers who prefer local roads over the monotony of major interstates.

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

129.3 miles from Lafayette, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

Forget about mindless highway cruising; this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local road personality. You will navigate via Public Square, College Street, and Hartsville Road, with a highway share of 0 percent. Because the route relies entirely on local infrastructure, you won't encounter long, uninterrupted high-speed stretches, as evidenced by the longest stretch on Public Square being 0 miles. The drive demands your full attention as you transition through the winding local landscape. Expect a technical, hands-on experience behind the wheel that keeps you engaged with the road rather than letting you settle into a cruise-control rhythm.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 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 162.7 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 12.1 miles in near TN 25 / Highway 25 East.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 258.6 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 12.1 miles (TN 25 / Highway 25 East): Navigation decision point; at 158.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

12.1 mi into trip | ~18m in | TN 25 / Highway 25 East

At end of road, turn left onto TN 25 / Highway 25 East

Navigation decision point

158.3 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

195 mi into trip | ~3h 48m 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

245.5 mi into trip | ~4h 42m 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

245.7 mi into trip | ~4h 43m 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

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Lafayette, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.

Fall Branch

245.5 mi in | ~4h 42m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	162.7 mi	2h 58m
I 81	50.5 mi	54m
Hartsville Road	11.5 mi	17m
Dixon Springs Highway	10.6 mi	16m
TN 25	4.9 mi	7m
South Wilcox Drive	4.1 mi	6m
Highway 25 East	3.1 mi	4m
Sullivan Gardens Drive	3.1 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 162.7 mi, about 2h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, TN and Kingsport, TN.

Start on this road

19 ft · 0 sec · this road

Continue on TN 10; TN 261

106 ft · 2 sec · Public Square

Continue on TN 10

0.5 mi · 54 sec · College Street

Continue on TN 10

12 mi · 17 min · Hartsville Road

At end of road, turn left onto TN 25

3.1 mi · 4 min · Highway 25 East

Continue on TN 25

10 mi · 15 min · Dixon Springs Highway

Continue on Dixon Springs Highway

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Dixon Springs Highway

Continue on Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on Upper Ferry Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Upper Ferry Road

Turn right onto TN 25

4.9 mi · 7 min · TN 25

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Merge onto I 40

126 mi · 2 hr 17 min · I 40

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 40 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

51 mi · 54 min · I 81

Exit 421 Toward I 81 North: Bristol

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Exit 50 Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch

Keep slight right at fork

509 ft · 14 sec

Exit 50 Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch

Merge onto SR 93

0.6 mi · 38 sec · SR 93

Continue on TN 93

2.4 mi · 2 min · TN 93

Continue on SR 93

3.1 mi · 3 min · Sullivan Gardens Drive

Continue on SR 93

1.5 mi · 1 min · South Wilcox Drive

Continue on SR 93

1.4 mi · 1 min · Sullivan Gardens Parkway

Turn left onto SR 126

2.6 mi · 4 min · South Wilcox Drive

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto East Sullivan Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Sullivan Street

Turn slight left onto East Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Turn right onto Broad Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Broad Street

Enter roundabout onto Broad Street

46 ft · 1 sec · Broad Street

Continue on Broad Street

433 ft · 19 sec · Broad Street

Turn left onto TN 36

0.1 mi · 23 sec · West Center Street

Arrive at destination

TN 36

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour duration and the absence of high-speed highway segments, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue on the tighter turns. With only one recommended stop, you should choose your break location carefully to maximize your comfort during the long stretches on local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $38 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local pricing along these secondary routes. Because the road is quite technical, build in extra time for traffic or slower-moving vehicles you might encounter on the local stretches. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't feel pressured to rush through the winding sections.

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 129.3 miles from Lafayette, TN, or about 2h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.7 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 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 129.3 miles or 2h 35m 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 6m

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 Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, TN

This is one driving day of about 258.6 miles and 5h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lafayette, 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 162.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 129.3 mi from Lafayette, TN · 2h 35m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

129 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

Johnson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 129.3 miles from Lafayette, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.7 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.28 one way

$78.56 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$43.30	$86.60
premium	$4.80	$48.82	$97.64
diesel	$5.64	$57.45	$114.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	77.6	0	$27.15	$12.41
Efficient EV	64.7	0	$22.63	$10.34
EV Truck/SUV	103.4	1	$36.20	$16.55

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Lafayette, TN

Evening in Lafayette on Sunday

Local time

8:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kingsport, TN

Night in Kingsport on Sunday

Local time

9:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

129 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

6 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 1m 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 Lafayette, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 258.6 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 81, Hartsville Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 129.3 miles from Lafayette, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.28 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.

On the drive from Lafayette, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.

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Trip from Lafayette, TN to Kingsport, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Kingsport, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lafayette, TN

Kingsport, TN

1 hour later

6 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 1m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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