Trip from Mount Carmel, TN to Kingsport, TN

Drive Time

7h 30m

Distance

390.7 mi

629 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

7h 20m ★

6 AM

7h 30m

8 AM

7h 51m

10 AM

7h 37m

12 PM

7h 35m

3 PM

7h 38m

5 PM

7h 50m

8 PM

7h 24m

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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Mount Carmel, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Mount Carmel to Kingsport, expect a journey covering 394.8 miles. This drive typically takes about 6 hours and 1 minute to complete, making it a manageable day trip for most drivers. You will primarily navigate via Mount Carmel Access, Mt Carmel Road, and Middleburg Road throughout your transit. Budget roughly $59 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you will remain in a familiar geographic area for the duration of the trip. Plan for one designated stop to keep your energy levels up and ensure a smooth experience behind the wheel.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

195.4 miles from Mount Carmel, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that feels quite different from a standard interstate cruise. Because this route features 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 6-hour duration on local roads, requiring your full attention at the wheel. The personality of this drive is dictated by its technical nature rather than high-speed stretches, so expect to navigate constant turns rather than long, straightaways. This consistent engagement makes the journey feel active, as you transition between the various local road segments. Keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your pace will be dictated by local traffic and road geometry rather than open-road cruising.

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 291.9 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 113.4 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 390.7 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 113.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

113.4 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...

116.6 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...

290.4 mi into trip | ~5h 36m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

377.9 mi into trip | ~7h 12m 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

390.6 mi into trip | ~7h 29m 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

Between Mount Carmel, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

Huntsville

113.4 mi in | ~2h 22m

Louisville

116.1 mi in | ~2h 26m | via I 40

Knoxville

116.1 mi in | ~2h 26m | via I 40

Chattanooga

116.1 mi in | ~2h 26m | via I 40

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	291.9 mi	5h 18m
I 81	50.5 mi	54m
US 641	18.6 mi	21m
Mt Carmel Road	9.1 mi	25m
South Wilcox Drive	4.1 mi	6m
TN 100	3.5 mi	6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive	3.1 mi	3m
Downtown Loop	2.9 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 291.9 mi, about 5h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Mt Carmel Road

2.3 mi · 8 min · Mt Carmel Road

Keep slight right at fork onto Mount Carmel Access

526 ft · 23 sec · Mount Carmel Access

Continue on 1758

6.8 mi · 16 min · Mt Carmel Road

At end of road, turn left onto TN 100

3.5 mi · 6 min · TN 100

Turn right onto Middleburg Road

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Middleburg Road

Turn right onto US 641

19 mi · 21 min · US 641

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Merge onto I 40

81 mi · 1 hr 27 min · I 40

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40; I 65

2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Downtown Loop

Exit 211B; 211A Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

174 mi · 3 hr 9 min · I 40

Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 40 min · I 40

Use the none lane.

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

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

TN 36

Trip Plan

For the best experience, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the 6-hour drive time while maintaining daylight visibility. Since you only have one planned stop for this 394.8-mile trek, choose a location mid-way to stretch your legs and reset your focus before finishing the final leg. Given that this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your vehicle is in good condition to handle the constant maneuvering through the local road network. With a total fuel cost of $59, it is wise to keep an eye on your tank, especially when navigating the smaller roads where service stations may be less frequent. Embracing the flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your pace as needed based on local road conditions.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 195.4 miles from Mount Carmel, TN, or about 3h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 291.9 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 86 miles or 1h 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 195.4 miles or 3h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 21m

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 Mount Carmel, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mount Carmel, TN

This is one driving day of about 390.7 miles and 7h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Mount Carmel, TN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 291.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 195.4 mi from Mount Carmel, TN · 3h 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hendersonville, TN

195 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

Franklin, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 195.4 miles from Mount Carmel, 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 291.9 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

$59.34 one way

$118.69 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 137 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$65.42	$130.84
premium	$4.80	$73.76	$147.51
diesel	$5.64	$86.80	$173.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 136.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	117.2	1	$41.02	$18.75
Efficient EV	97.7	1	$34.19	$15.63
EV Truck/SUV	156.3	1	$54.70	$25.00

Gas CO2

137 kg

EV CO2

46 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Mount Carmel, TN

Evening in Mount Carmel on Sunday

Local time

6:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kingsport, TN

Evening in Kingsport on Sunday

Local time

7:28 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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

5 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

7h 30m 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 Mount Carmel, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 390.7 miles and takes about 7h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 81, US 641. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 195.4 miles from Mount Carmel, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.34 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Mount Carmel, TN and Kingsport, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

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Trip from Mount Carmel, 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

Mount Carmel, TN

Kingsport, TN

1 hour later

5 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 30m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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