How far is Decatur, TN from Johnson City, TN?

The driving distance from Decatur, TN to Johnson City, TN is about 170.4 miles (274.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 147.1 miles (236.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
170.37 mi
03h 13m
Flight
147.09 mi
236.72 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Decatur.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
147.09 mi
Kilometers
236.72 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
170.37 mi
Kilometers
274.18 km
Drive Time
03h 13m

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 03h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Johnson City
Mon, Apr 13, 3:09 PM EDT
Return by in Decatur
Mon, Apr 13, 6:22 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decatur
2026-04-13T11:56
Arrive Johnson City
Mon, Apr 13, 3:09 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:13 AM to 11:13 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:34 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Decatur
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Sevierville
TN

Town in Seiver County, Tennessee, USA

From Decatur
85.1 mi
01h 36m
To Johnson City
85.3 mi
01h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
76°F
Monday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Johnson City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Johnson City.

  1. 1

    Start on Highway 58

    20 m · 9 sec · Highway 58

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Memorial Drive

    2212 ft · 44 sec · West Memorial Drive

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Decatur Pike

    9.1 mi · 14 min · Decatur Pike

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1531 ft · 37 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    52.1 mi · 57 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    36.7 mi · 41 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

    56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville

    2112 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway

    14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward TN 91

    614 ft · 15 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    1705 ft · 38 sec · East Market Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Buffalo Street

    977 ft · 32 sec · Buffalo Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    132 m · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Johnson City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Decatur Pike
98.2 mi · 58%
I 81 North
56.6 mi · 33%
James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi · 8%
West Memorial Drive
0.42 mi
I 26 East
0.4 mi
East Market Street
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

I 81 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

56.6 mi · 01h 01m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.3 mi
147.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sevierville
01h 36m from Decatur
Leave By
10:34 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Decatur and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Johnson City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Johnson City?

The road trip is about 170.4 miles (274.2 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?

Sevierville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.1 miles from Decatur and 85.3 miles from Johnson City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 147.1 miles (236.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.66 one way or $45.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Decatur and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Johnson City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Johnson City. Straight-line distance: 147.09 mi (236.72 km).

Decatur

#1 Decatur

Human settlement in Meigs County, Tennessee, United States of America

Population1,663
Coordinates35.5147900, -84.7902200
Altitude237
CountryUnited States
Johnson City

#2 Johnson City

The most populous city in Washington County, Tennessee.

Population66,906
Coordinates36.3134400, -82.3534700
Altitude498
CountryUnited States
Start: Decatur (-84.79022, 35.51479)
End: Johnson City (-82.35347, 36.31344)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 274 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.01 gal
22.76 L · about $22.66
Round trip
$45.33
12.02 gal · 45.52 L
Estimated CO2
53.4 kg one way
Round trip: 106.8 kg / 235 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.66 $45.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.56 $51.12
Premium $4.65 $27.97 $55.94
Diesel $5.30 $31.88 $63.75

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Decatur and Johnson City. The current time is 11:56:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.