The drive from Lewisburg, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 315.2 miles and takes about 6h 1m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 81, Tennessee National Guard Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 185.8 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.28 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
157.6 miles from Lewisburg, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 1m. Total distance: 315.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 1m highway drive covering 315.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 185.8 miles on I 40.
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 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 185.8 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 65.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 315.2 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 65.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 214.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
65.1 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
6
214.9 mi into trip|~4h 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.
6
251.6 mi into trip|~4h 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
6
302.1 mi into trip|~5h 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
8
302.4 mi into trip|~5h 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lewisburg, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon along the way.
Lebanon
65.1 mi in|~1h 23m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.8 mi
3h 23m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
33.9 mi
36m
Nashville Highway
28.7 mi
42m
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
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.8 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewisburg, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi·17 sec·this road
2
Continue on US 31A Business; US 431 Business
72 ft·3 sec·West Church Street
3
Turn right onto US 31A Business; US 431 Business
0.5 mi·54 sec·North 2nd Avenue
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31A Business; US 431 Business
0.4 mi·44 sec·Verona Avenue
5
Continue on US 31A; SR 272
13 mi·19 min·Nashville Highway
6
Continue on US 31A; SR 99
0.7 mi·1 min·South Horton Parkway
7
Continue on US 31A; SR 99
15 mi·22 min·Nashville Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro
9
Merge onto I 840
34 mi·36 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 76AToward I 40 East: Knoxville, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
149 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
15
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
16
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
17
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
18
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
19
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
20
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
21
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
23
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
24
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
25
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
26
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
27
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
28
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.6 miles from Lewisburg, TN, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.8 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 69 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.6 miles or 3h 5m 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 55m
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 Lewisburg, 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 Lewisburg, TN
This is one driving day of about 315.2 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Lewisburg, 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 185.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 157.6 mi from Lewisburg, TN
· 3h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 157.6 miles from Lewisburg, 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 185.8 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 239.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.28 one way
$98.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$54.11
$108.21
premium
$4.89
$60.66
$121.31
diesel
$5.61
$69.59
$139.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.6
1
$33.10
$15.13
Efficient EV
78.8
0
$27.58
$12.61
EV Truck/SUV
126.1
1
$44.13
$20.17
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Lewisburg, TN
Morning
in Lewisburg on Saturday
Local time
6:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Morning
in Kingsport on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, TN
158 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
1 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
6h 1m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lewisburg, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 315.2 miles and takes about 6h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Tennessee National Guard 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 157.6 miles from Lewisburg, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 16 significant decision points across 315.2 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 65.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 214.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Lewisburg, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
