How far is Gatlinburg, TN from Kingsport, TN?

The driving distance from Gatlinburg, TN to Kingsport, TN is about 98.9 miles (159.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78.3 miles (126 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
98.93 mi
02h 03m
Flight
78.3 mi
126.01 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gatlinburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
78.3 mi
Kilometers
126.01 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.93 mi
Kilometers
159.21 km
Drive Time
02h 03m

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 02h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kingsport
Thu, Apr 16, 8:12 AM EDT
Return by in Gatlinburg
Thu, Apr 16, 10:16 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gatlinburg
2026-04-16T06:09
Arrive Kingsport
Thu, Apr 16, 8:12 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:04 AM to 12:04 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gatlinburg
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
East Ridge
TN

City in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States of America

From Gatlinburg
49.5 mi
01h 01m
To Kingsport
49.5 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Gatlinburg and Kingsport.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gatlinburg and Kingsport.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    16 m · 4 sec

  2. 2

    Turn slight right

    108 m · 32 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Parkway

    1.2 mi · 4 min · Parkway

  4. 4

    Continue on Gatlinburg Spur Road

    4.2 mi · 8 min · Gatlinburg Spur Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Parkway

    7.1 mi · 12 min · Parkway

  6. 6

    Take the exit left toward US 411 North

    38 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Forks of the River Parkway

    3212 ft · 46 sec · Forks of the River Parkway

  8. 8

    Continue on Winfield Dunn Parkway

    8.4 mi · 11 min · Winfield Dunn Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Asheville

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    13.4 mi · 14 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

    50.5 mi · 54 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch

    1136 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch

    155 m · 15 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    2954 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Continue on Sullivan Gardens Drive

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Sullivan Gardens Drive

  17. 17

    Continue on South Wilcox Drive

    1.5 mi · 2 min · South Wilcox Drive

  18. 18

    Continue on Sullivan Gardens Parkway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Gardens Parkway

  19. 19

    Turn left onto South Wilcox Drive

    2.6 mi · 5 min · South Wilcox Drive

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East Sullivan Street

    1108 ft · 24 sec · East Sullivan Street

  21. 21

    Turn slight left onto East Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Broad Street

    577 ft · 16 sec · Broad Street

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Broad Street

    14 m · 1 sec · Broad Street

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto Broad Street

    132 m · 19 sec · Broad Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto West Center Street

    698 ft · 24 sec · West Center Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Center Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gatlinburg and Kingsport.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
50.5 mi · 51%
I 40 East
13.8 mi · 14%
Winfield Dunn Parkway
8.42 mi · 9%
Parkway
8.27 mi · 8%
Gatlinburg Spur Road
4.18 mi · 4%
South Wilcox Drive
4.06 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 81 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

50.5 mi · 00h 54m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.6 mi
78.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
East Ridge
01h 01m from Gatlinburg
Leave By
2:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Gatlinburg and Mostly Sunny near Kingsport.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gatlinburg to Kingsport?

The road trip is about 98.9 miles (159.2 km) and usually takes 02h 03m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

East Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.5 miles from Gatlinburg and 49.5 miles from Kingsport.

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

The direct path is about 78.3 miles (126 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.16 one way or $26.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gatlinburg and Mostly Sunny near Kingsport.

Stop Ideas Near East Ridge

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around East Ridge and the surrounding midpoint area.
City of Parrottsville, Tennessee Official Website
Scenic stop 13.4 mi away

City of Parrottsville, Tennessee Official Website

Parrottsville , TN
2101 Old Parrottsville Hwy, Parrottsville, TN 37843
Rating 4.6/5 52 reviews Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.2 mi away

Parrottsville City Hall

Parrottsville , TN
111 Parrotts Cir, Parrottsville, TN 37843
Rating 1.0/5 1 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to East Ridge.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gatlinburg and Kingsport. Straight-line distance: 78.3 mi (126.01 km).

Gatlinburg

#1 Gatlinburg

Resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee

Population3,779
Coordinates35.7145300, -83.5118900
Altitude394
CountryUnited States
Kingsport

#2 Kingsport

The most populous city in Sullivan County, Tennessee.

Population54,112
Coordinates36.5484300, -82.5618200
Altitude369
CountryUnited States
Start: Gatlinburg (-83.51189, 35.71453)
End: Kingsport (-82.56182, 36.54843)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 159 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.49 gal
13.21 L · about $13.16
Round trip
$26.32
6.98 gal · 26.42 L
Estimated CO2
31 kg one way
Round trip: 62 kg / 137 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.16 $26.32
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.84 $29.69
Premium $4.65 $16.24 $32.48
Diesel $5.30 $18.51 $37.02

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Gatlinburg and Kingsport. The current time is 06:09:06.

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.