Origin
Red Boiling Springs, TN
Morning in Red Boiling Springs on Friday
Local time
8:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Red Boiling Springs, 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
4h 52m
Distance
250.9 mi
404 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Boiling Springs, TN
Connor Scott McManus
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 250.9-mile drive from Red Boiling Springs to Johnson City, Tennessee, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 4 hours and 52 minutes. You'll primarily navigate local roads, indicated by a 0% highway share, making it a more hands-on driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, it's an economical trip. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Plan for frequent turns as you make your way across the state. It's a great option if you're looking for a full day of driving without the need for an overnight stay.
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
125.4 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 250.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 250.9-mile journey. With no highway segments, you'll be consistently engaging with the road, navigating a series of local streets and highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't a significant factor here, as the route is characterized by frequent directional changes. This profile means you'll likely experience a changing landscape as you move through different communities, rather than long, monotonous stretches.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 141 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 38 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 250.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 38 miles: Navigation decision point; at 38.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
38 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
38.2 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
142.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
179.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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
235.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m 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 Red Boiling Springs, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
235.8 mi in
|
~4h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 141 mi | 2h 35m |
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| Jennings Creek Highway | 12.6 mi | 18m |
| North Grundy Quarles Memorial Highway | 12.1 mi | 18m |
| Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| Red Boiling Springs Highway | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| North Springs Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 141 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Boiling Springs, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on SR 56
433 ft
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
2
Continue on SR 151
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on SR 151
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Springs Road
4
Continue on SR 151
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Red Boiling Sprgs Highway
5
Continue on SR 151
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Red Boiling Springs Highway
6
Turn left onto SR 56
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Jennings Creek Highway
7
Continue on SR 53; SR 56
12 mi
·
18 min
·
North Grundy Quarles Memorial Highway
8
Continue on SR 56
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
9
Continue on SR 56
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Gainesboro Highway
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
11
Merge onto I 40
104 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
15
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
17
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
18
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 52-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Red Boiling Springs will allow ample time to reach Johnson City comfortably. While there's only one suggested stop, you might want to plan for additional brief breaks given the turn-heavy nature of the route, especially since there are no long highway stretches to break up the driving. Keep an eye on your fuel level, with an estimated cost of $38 for the trip, and consider topping off before you leave Red Boiling Springs. A good tip is to ensure your GPS or navigation system is fully charged and updated, as you'll be relying on it frequently for the numerous turns.
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 125.4 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141 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 55 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.4 miles or 2h 32m 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
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 Red Boiling Springs, 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 Red Boiling Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 250.9 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Red Boiling Springs, 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 141 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.4 mi from Red Boiling Springs, TN · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.4 miles from Red Boiling Springs, 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 141 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
$39.23 one way
$78.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $43.07 | $86.14 |
| premium | $4.89 | $48.28 | $96.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.40 | $110.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.3 | 0 | $26.34 | $12.04 |
| Efficient EV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.95 | $10.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.4 | 1 | $35.13 | $16.06 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Morning in Johnson City on Friday
Local time
9:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
125 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
30 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
4h 52m 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 Red Boiling Springs, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 250.9 miles and takes about 4h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, 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 125.4 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.23 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 250.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 38 miles: Navigation decision point; at 38.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Red Boiling Springs, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Johnson City, TN
More from Red Boiling Springs, TN
More trips to Johnson City, TN
Explore more options from Red Boiling Springs, TN or browse trips ending in Johnson City, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.