The drive from Pine Crest, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 144.8 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, US 25W, James H. Quillen Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.6 miles on I 81.
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 Pine Crest, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 144.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 4m highway drive covering 144.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and US 25W. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 56.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and US 25W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.5 miles in near Island Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 144.8 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 6.5 miles (Island Road): Navigation decision point; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 44.6 miles (US 25W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.5 mi into trip|~25m in|Island Road
At end of road, turn left onto Island Road
Navigation decision point
5
37.7 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 640 East: Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 640 East: Asheville
7
44.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|US 25W
Keep slight left at fork onto US 25W toward I 40 East: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
6
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
129.8 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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.
Between Pine Crest, TN and Johnson City, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Asheville.
Knoxville
10.5 mi in|~32m|via US 25W
Asheville
129.8 mi in|~2h 45m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
56.6 mi
1h
US 25W
55.4 mi
1h 3m
James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi
16m
Knoxville Bypass
6.8 mi
7m
Pinecrest Road
5.6 mi
21m
West Central Avenue
3 mi
3m
Towe String Road
0.9 mi
3m
Liberty Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Crest, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Fire Department Lane
88 ft·4 sec·Fire Department Lane
2
Turn left onto Pinecrest Road
5.5 mi·21 min·Pinecrest Road
3
Continue on Pinecrest Road
273 ft·12 sec·Pinecrest Road
4
Turn slight left onto Towe String Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Towe String Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto Island Road
207 ft·9 sec·Island Road
6
Turn right onto Liberty Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Liberty Street
7
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·Main Street
8
Turn right onto Paris Nance Road
0.2 mi·39 sec·Paris Nance Road
9
Turn left onto US 25W; TN 63
3.0 mi·3 min·West Central Avenue
10
Continue on US 25W; TN 63
0.1 mi·8 sec·Royal Blue Road
11
Take the exit onto US 25W
27 mi·32 min·US 25W
Toward Knoxville
12
Continue on I 275
0.3 mi·18 sec·I 275
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 640 East: Asheville
14
Merge onto I 640; US 25W
6.8 mi·7 min·Knoxville Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 25W
29 mi·31 min·US 25W
Toward I 40 East: AshevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi·1 hr·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 57AToward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
18
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi·16 min·James H. Quillen Parkway
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 23Toward TN 91
20
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Market Street
21
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right
433 ft·31 sec
23
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 72.4 miles from Pine Crest, TN, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 32 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 44m 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 33m
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 Pine Crest, 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 Pine Crest, TN
This is one driving day of about 144.8 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Pine Crest, 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 81 for about 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.4 mi from Pine Crest, TN
· 1h 44m into the drive
The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Pine Crest, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
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 59.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.64 one way
$45.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
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.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Mercedes-Benz Charging Station
Kodak, Tennessee
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Kodak, Tennessee
Tesla
1 DCFC
Other: 1
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Pine Crest, TN
Night
in Pine Crest on Thursday
Local time
11:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Night
in Johnson City on Thursday
Local time
11:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
33 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
3h 4m 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 Pine Crest, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 144.8 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, US 25W, James H. Quillen 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 72.4 miles from Pine Crest, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.64 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 144.8 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 6.5 miles (Island Road): Navigation decision point; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 44.6 miles (US 25W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Pine Crest, TN and Johnson City, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Asheville.
