The drive from Signal Mountain, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 215.5 miles and takes about 4h 6m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, I 81, I 40 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.2 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.69 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
107.8 miles from Signal Mountain, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 215.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 6m highway drive covering 215.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.2 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 127 / Taft Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 215.5 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: near the start (US 127 / Taft Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 8.3 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 127 / Taft Highway
Turn sharp right onto US 127 / Taft Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
8.3 mi into trip|~12m in|US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
8.5 mi into trip|~12m in|US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27 toward I 24 East: Atlanta, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 24 East: Atlanta, Knoxville
8
15.1 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
8
202.7 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
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 Signal Mountain, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Fall Branch
202.5 mi in|~3h 48m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
99.2 mi
1h 49m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
I 40
36.7 mi
40m
US 27
10.1 mi
13m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Signal Mountain Boulevard
3 mi
4m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Signal Mountain, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on Mississippi Avenue
189 ft·17 sec·Mississippi Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto US 127
302 ft·7 sec·Taft Highway
3
Continue on US 127
3.0 mi·4 min·Signal Mountain Boulevard
4
Continue on US 127
1.6 mi·2 min·Signal Mountain Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto US 27
3.3 mi·4 min·US 27
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 27
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
6.6 mi·8 min·US 27
Toward I 24 East: Atlanta, Knoxville
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
14
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
15
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
16
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
17
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
18
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
19
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
20
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
22
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
23
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
24
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
25
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
26
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
27
Arrive at destination
TN 36
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 107.8 miles from Signal Mountain, TN, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 47 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.8 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
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 Signal Mountain, 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 Signal Mountain, TN
This is one driving day of about 215.5 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Signal Mountain, 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 75 for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.8 mi from Signal Mountain, TN
· 2h 4m into the drive
The midpoint is around 107.8 miles from Signal Mountain, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 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.
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 141.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.69 one way
$67.38 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.99
$73.98
premium
$4.89
$41.47
$82.94
diesel
$5.61
$47.58
$95.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.6
0
$22.63
$10.34
Efficient EV
53.9
0
$18.86
$8.62
EV Truck/SUV
86.2
1
$30.17
$13.79
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 15, 2026
Origin
Signal Mountain, TN
Morning
in Signal Mountain on Thursday
Local time
11:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Morning
in Kingsport on Thursday
Local time
11:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
6 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 6m 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 Signal Mountain, TN to Kingsport, TN covers 215.5 miles and takes about 4h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 81, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.8 miles from Signal Mountain, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.69 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 16 significant decision points across 215.5 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: near the start (US 127 / Taft Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 8.3 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Signal Mountain, TN to Kingsport, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Fall Branch along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
