Origin
New Hope, TN
Evening in New Hope on Friday
Local time
6:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Hope, TN to Johnson City, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
257 mi
414 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Hope, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from New Hope, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 257 miles and takes about 5h 9m 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, US 70S for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101.2 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.18 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
128.5 miles from New Hope, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 257 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 9m highway drive covering 257 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 101.2 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 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 101.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,777 ft
692 ft
Total Climb
2,278 ft
Total Descent
1,342 ft
Highest Point
1,777 ft
~91.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,084 ft
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 53 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 257 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 53 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
53 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
84 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
148.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m 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
185.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m 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
241.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m 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...
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 New Hope, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
241.9 mi in
|
~4h 50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 101.2 mi | 1h 52m |
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| US 70S | 24.7 mi | 28m |
| Crossville Highway | 20.9 mi | 31m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| Nashville Highway | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| McMinnville Highway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Sparta Highway | 4.9 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 101.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Hope, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Murfreesboro Road
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
2
Turn right onto Bradyville Road
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bradyville Road
3
Turn left onto US 70S
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
John Bragg Highway
4
Continue on US 70S
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on US 70S; SR 53
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
McMinnville Highway
6
Continue on US 70S
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Nashville Highway
7
Continue on US 70S
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Main Street
8
Take the exit onto US 70S
25 mi
·
28 min
·
US 70S
9
Merge onto US 70S; SR 111
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Spencer Highway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
268 ft
·
7 sec
12
Turn straight onto TN 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mayberry Street
13
Turn right onto US 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Bockman Way
14
Continue on US 70
21 mi
·
31 min
·
Crossville Highway
15
Continue on US 70
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Sparta Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on Elmore Road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Elmore Road
17
Turn right onto US 127
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
18
Turn left onto SR 298
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Genesis Road
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
20
Merge onto I 40
64 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
24
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
26
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
27
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 128.5 miles from New Hope, TN, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.2 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 57 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.5 miles or 2h 46m 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 17m
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 New Hope, 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 New Hope, TN
This is one driving day of about 257 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from New Hope, 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 101.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.5 mi from New Hope, TN · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.5 miles from New Hope, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.2 miles.
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.
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
$40.18 one way
$80.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $44.11 | $88.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $49.46 | $98.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.74 | $113.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.98 | $12.34 |
| Efficient EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.49 | $10.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.98 | $16.45 |
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.
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Evening in Johnson City on Friday
Local time
7:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°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
35 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 9m 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 New Hope, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 257 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, US 70S. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.5 miles from New Hope, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.18 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 257 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 53 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from New Hope, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 692 ft to 1,777 ft elevation with about 2,278 ft of total climbing.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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