Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
144.8 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Kingston, TN
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Nashville, TN to Kingston, TN covers 144.8 miles and takes about 2h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 24, I 40, Downtown Loop for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.6 miles on I 24. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.64 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.4 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
This is a 2h 41m highway drive covering 144.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 24 and I 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.6 miles on I 24.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 24 East
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 80.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| I 40 | 61.1 mi | 1h 6m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Kentucky Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Interstate Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Kingston, TN.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
Continue on I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 58
Continue on North Kentucky Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingston, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN
This is one driving day of about 144.8 miles and 2h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.4 mi from Nashville, TN · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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.
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Nashville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.
The final approach into Kingston, 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 Kingston, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$22.64 one way
$45.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.86 | $49.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.87 | $55.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.97 | $63.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.20 | $6.95 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.27 | $9.27 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Nashville on Wednesday
Local time
11:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Kingston on Thursday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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