How far is Cowan, TN from Johnson City, TN?
The driving distance from Cowan, TN to Johnson City, TN is about 270.7 miles (435.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 219.9 miles (353.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Loudon County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cowan and Johnson City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cowan and Johnson City.
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1
Start on Tennessee Avenue North
3 m · 6 sec · Tennessee Avenue North
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2
Turn left onto Cumberland Street East
1.4 km · 1 min · Cumberland Street East
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3
Continue on Sewanee Highway
5 mi · 7 min · Sewanee Highway
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4
Continue on Sollace M Freeman Highway
2 mi · 3 min · Sollace M Freeman Highway
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5
Continue on Sewanee Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Sewanee Highway
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6
Continue on David Crockett Highway
2171 ft · 37 sec · David Crockett Highway
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7
Continue on West Main Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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8
Take the ramp slight right
1572 ft · 38 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto I 24;US 64
50.5 mi · 59 min · I 24;US 64
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
1.4 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
99.2 mi · 1 hr 50 min
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12
Keep slight left
36.7 mi · 41 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
2112 ft · 40 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward TN 91
614 ft · 15 sec
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17
Turn right onto East Market Street
1705 ft · 38 sec · East Market Street
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18
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
977 ft · 32 sec · Buffalo Street
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19
Turn right
132 m · 32 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cowan and Johnson City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 North
Merge slight left
99.2 mi · 01h 50m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cowan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Johnson City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cowan to Johnson City?
The road trip is about 270.7 miles (435.7 km) and usually takes 05h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Loudon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.3 miles from Cowan and 135.5 miles from Johnson City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 219.9 miles (353.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.05 one way or $72.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Cowan and Johnson City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cowan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Johnson City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cowan and Johnson City. Straight-line distance: 219.9 mi (353.9 km).
#1 Cowan
Human settlement in Franklin County, Tennessee, United States of America
| Population | 1,668 |
| Coordinates | 35.1645300, -86.0105400 |
| Altitude | 297 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Johnson City
The most populous city in Washington County, Tennessee.
| Population | 66,906 |
| Coordinates | 36.3134400, -82.3534700 |
| Altitude | 498 |
| Country | United States |
End: Johnson City (-82.35347, 36.31344)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 436 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.05 | $72.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.66 | $81.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.49 | $88.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.71 | $101.41 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Tennessee · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.