Origin
Morristown, TN
Evening in Morristown on Sunday
Local time
8:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Morristown, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
65.9 mi
106 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morristown, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel between Morristown and Johnson City, expect a straightforward 65.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily manage the drive without needing to book an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $10, it remains a highly economical choice for regional travel within Tennessee. Since both cities are located in the Southeast, the drive keeps you within the heart of the region throughout the transit. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, making this a reliable connection for those prioritizing efficiency over backroad detours.
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
33 miles from Morristown, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of the distance spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-81, which accounts for a 44.3-mile stretch of the journey. As you transition off the interstate, the route incorporates the James H. Quillen Parkway and Enka Highway to reach your destination. Expect a consistent, fast-paced driving experience that favors highway efficiency over technical or winding local roads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that keeps you moving steadily toward Johnson City.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 44.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and James H. Quillen Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 66 / West 1st North Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 16m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 66 / West 1st North Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 50.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 66 / West 1st North Street
Turn left onto SR 66 / West 1st North Street
Navigation decision point
6
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward SR 160 South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward SR 160 South
6
50.8 mi into trip
|
~57m 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...
5
65.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward TN 91
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
5
65.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
Buffalo Street
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Morristown, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
50.8 mi in
|
~57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 44.3 mi | 47m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| Enka Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| North Cumberland Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Gov Dewitt Clinton Sentor Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Market Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Newport Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Buffalo Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 44.3 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morristown, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on North Henry Street
125 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Henry Street
2
Turn left onto SR 66
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
West 1st North Street
3
Turn right onto SR 343
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Cumberland Street
4
Continue on SR 343
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Newport Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward SR 160 South
6
Merge onto SR 160
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Gov Dewitt Clinton Sentor Highway
7
Continue on SR 160
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Enka Highway
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
9
Merge onto I 81
44 mi
·
47 min
·
I 81
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
11
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
13
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
14
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak commuting hours is always a smart move. Because the entire 65.9-mile distance can be covered in just over an hour, there is no need to plan for lengthy mid-route stops unless you prefer a break. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-81, as the longest 44.3-mile stretch offers limited opportunities to step away from the highway. Given the efficiency of the route, you can easily complete the drive in one go, leaving you plenty of time to explore Johnson City once you arrive.
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 33 miles from Morristown, TN, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.3 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 65.9 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33 miles or 38m 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 3m
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 Morristown, 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 Morristown, TN
This is one driving day of about 65.9 miles and 1h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Morristown, 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 44.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33 mi from Morristown, TN · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 65.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33 miles from Morristown, 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
$10.01 one way
$20.02 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.03 | $22.07 |
| premium | $4.80 | $12.44 | $24.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.92 | $3.16 |
| Efficient EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.77 | $2.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.23 | $4.22 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
8:33 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
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
1h 16m 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 Morristown, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 65.9 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway, Enka Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33 miles from Morristown, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.01 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 straightforward 1h 16m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 66 / West 1st North Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 50.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Morristown, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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