How far is Johnson City, TN from Bells, TN?
The driving distance from Johnson City, TN to Bells, TN is about 428.3 miles (689.3 km), with a travel time of about 07h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 378.6 miles (609.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 15h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
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 07h 52m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Johnson City and Bells.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City and Bells.
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1
Start on the route
132 m · 35 sec
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2
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
1620 ft · 56 sec · Buffalo Street
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3
Turn left onto North Roan Street
1633 ft · 37 sec · North Roan Street
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4
Turn right onto East Watauga Avenue
1812 ft · 45 sec · East Watauga Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Oak Street
135 m · 11 sec · Oak Street
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6
Take the ramp straight
962 ft · 24 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
13.7 mi · 16 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Knoxville
1100 ft · 38 sec
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9
Merge slight left
56.4 mi · 1 hr
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10
Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville
1.1 km · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 59 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
154.8 mi · 2 hr 47 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
2.1 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
2263 ft · 43 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Downtown Loop
1 km · 52 sec · Downtown Loop
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16
Continue on Downtown Loop
2.3 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Memphis
128.5 mi · 2 hr 19 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
1308 ft · 32 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
82 m · 7 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
12.2 mi · 15 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 70A West, US 79 South: Bells, Brownsville
778 ft · 33 sec
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22
Turn straight
1.8 mi · 3 min
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · High Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Johnson City and Bells.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Nashville
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
155 mi · 02h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny leaving Johnson City and Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bells.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Johnson City to Bells?
The road trip is about 428.3 miles (689.3 km) and usually takes 07h 52m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Baxter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 213.8 miles from Johnson City and 214.4 miles from Bells.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 378.6 miles (609.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.7 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.98 one way or $113.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 134.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Johnson City and Bells, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Johnson City and Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bells.
Stop Ideas Near Baxter
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Baxter.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Johnson City and Bells. Straight-line distance: 378.58 mi (609.26 km).
#1 Johnson City
The most populous city in Washington County, Tennessee.
| Population | 66,906 |
| Coordinates | 36.3134400, -82.3534700 |
| Altitude | 498 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bells
City in Tennessee, USA
| Population | 2,435 |
| Coordinates | 35.7111800, -89.0875600 |
| Altitude | 99 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bells (-89.08756, 35.71118)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 689 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $56.98 | $113.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $64.26 | $128.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $70.32 | $140.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $80.14 | $160.29 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.