How far is Johnson City, TN from Covington, TN?
The driving distance from Johnson City, TN to Covington, TN is about 459.2 miles (739 km), with a travel time of about 08h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 411.2 miles (661.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 13m 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 08h 36m.
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 in Smith County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Johnson City and Covington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City and Covington.
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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
141.8 mi · 2 hr 33 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
1247 ft · 32 sec
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19
Turn right onto East Main Street
9.5 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward West Main Street
122 m · 11 sec · West Main Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
21.7 mi · 32 min · West Main Street
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22
Continue on East Liberty Avenue
2537 ft · 44 sec · East Liberty Avenue
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23
Turn left onto West Court Square
38 m · 6 sec · West Court Square
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Court Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Johnson City and Covington.
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.
Sunny leaving Johnson City and Sunny near Covington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Johnson City to Covington?
The road trip is about 459.2 miles (739 km) and usually takes 08h 36m 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?
Gordonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 229.3 miles from Johnson City and 230 miles from Covington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 411.2 miles (661.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 48 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 $61.09 one way or $122.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 144 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 Covington, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Johnson City and Sunny near Covington.
Stop Ideas Near Gordonsville
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 Gordonsville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Johnson City and Covington. Straight-line distance: 411.15 mi (661.68 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 Covington
City in Tipton County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 8,810 |
| Coordinates | 35.5642500, -89.6464700 |
| Altitude | 102 |
| Country | United States |
End: Covington (-89.64647, 35.56425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 739 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $61.09 | $122.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $68.90 | $137.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $75.39 | $150.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $85.92 | $171.85 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.