Origin
Tullahoma, TN
Night in Tullahoma on Tuesday
Local time
10:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tullahoma, TN to Johnson City, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 17m
Distance
266.5 mi
429 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 4m
★
6 AM
5h 17m
8 AM
5h 44m
10 AM
5h 26m
12 PM
5h 24m
3 PM
5h 28m
5 PM
5h 43m
8 PM
5h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tullahoma, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 266.5 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Tullahoma to Johnson City typically takes about 5 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay, though you should budget approximately $40 for fuel. You will transition across the Southeast region, navigating a mix of local roads and major interstates. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that serves as an efficient way to move between these two Tennessee cities. Planning for one scheduled stop will make the journey feel much more comfortable. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a visit, this drive provides a practical connection across the state.
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
133.3 miles from Tullahoma, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by its heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with 68% of your journey spent on highways. You will start by navigating local stretches like Crossville Highway before transitioning onto the interstate system, which includes a significant 101.2-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-40. The character of the road is primarily an interstate grind, relying heavily on I-40 and I-81 to cover the bulk of the distance. While the pace is generally fast, the transition from smaller local roads to the high-speed flow of the interstate defines the rhythm of your time behind the wheel. Prepare for a consistent, highway-focused experience that prioritizes steady progress over technical or winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 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.
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 early in the drive near West Lauderdale Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 266.5 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 (West Lauderdale Street): Navigation decision point; at 62.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 158.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Lauderdale Street
Turn right onto West Lauderdale Street
Navigation decision point
5
62.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
158.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m 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
194.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m 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
251.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m 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 Tullahoma, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
251.5 mi in
|
~4h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 101.2 mi | 1h 52m |
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| Crossville Highway | 20.9 mi | 31m |
| Sparta Highway | 14.9 mi | 18m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| McMinnville Highway | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| Manchester Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| New Tullahoma Highway | 8.3 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 101.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tullahoma, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Southwest Atlantic Street
199 ft
·
7 sec
·
Southwest Atlantic Street
2
Turn right onto West Lauderdale Street
520 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Lauderdale Street
3
Turn left onto US 41A; SR 55; SR 130
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Jackson Street
4
Turn left onto SR 55
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Carroll Street
5
Turn slight right onto SR 55
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
New Tullahoma Highway
6
Continue on SR 55
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
McArthur Street
7
Continue on SR 55
11 mi
·
13 min
·
McMinnville Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on SR 55
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Manchester Highway
9
Continue on SR 55
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
H T Pelham Memorial Parkway
10
Continue on US 70S
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway
11
Continue on US 70S
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Sparta Street
12
Continue on US 70S
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Sparta Highway
13
Continue on US 70S
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Bone Cave Parkway
14
Continue on US 70S
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Memorial Highway
15
Merge onto US 70S; SR 111
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Spencer Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
17
Keep slight right at fork
268 ft
·
7 sec
18
Turn straight onto TN 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mayberry Street
19
Turn right onto US 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Bockman Way
20
Continue on US 70
21 mi
·
31 min
·
Crossville Highway
21
Continue on US 70
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Sparta Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Continue on Elmore Road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Elmore Road
23
Turn right onto US 127
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
24
Turn left onto SR 298
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Genesis Road
25
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
26
Merge onto I 40
64 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
30
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
32
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
33
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
34
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 17-minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic buildup on the busier interstate sections. Since the trip includes one recommended stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $40 budget in mind for the total transit. Because the longest stretch on I-40 lasts over 100 miles, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained highway speeds before you leave Tullahoma. Staying flexible with your departure time is a major advantage for a trip of this length, as it allows you to bypass potential congestion on the main arteries. Keep a close eye on the transition points between Crossville Highway and the interstate, as these areas often see the most significant changes in traffic flow.
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 133.3 miles from Tullahoma, TN, or about 2h 48m 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 48m 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 22m
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 Tullahoma, 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 Tullahoma, TN
This is one driving day of about 266.5 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tullahoma, 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 133.3 mi from Tullahoma, TN · 2h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.3 miles from Tullahoma, 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
$41.66 one way
$83.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.75 | $91.49 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.29 | $102.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.84 | $117.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80 | 0 | $27.98 | $12.79 |
| Efficient EV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.32 | $10.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.6 | 1 | $37.31 | $17.06 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Night in Johnson City on Tuesday
Local time
11:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Johnson, TN
133 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 17m 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 Tullahoma, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 266.5 miles and takes about 5h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Crossville Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.3 miles from Tullahoma, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.66 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 18 significant decision points across 266.5 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 (West Lauderdale Street): Navigation decision point; at 62.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 158.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tullahoma, TN to Johnson City, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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