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

The driving distance from Johnson City, TN to Decatur, TN is about 170.6 miles (274.5 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 27m 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
170.59 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 Johnson City.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
170.59 mi
Kilometers
274.54 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 Decatur
Mon, Apr 13, 4:49 PM EDT
Return by in Johnson City
Mon, Apr 13, 8:02 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Johnson City
2026-04-13T13:35
Arrive Decatur
Mon, Apr 13, 4:49 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
9:14 AM to 11:14 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
10:32 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Johnson City
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 Johnson City
85.3 mi
01h 36m
To Decatur
85.4 mi
01h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Monday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    132 m · 35 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Buffalo Street

    1620 ft · 56 sec · Buffalo Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Roan Street

    1633 ft · 37 sec · North Roan Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East Watauga Avenue

    1812 ft · 45 sec · East Watauga Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    135 m · 11 sec · Oak Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight

    962 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway

    13.7 mi · 16 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Knoxville

    1100 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    56.4 mi · 1 hr

  10. 10

    Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville

    1.1 km · 45 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    52.8 mi · 59 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga

    35.9 mi · 39 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Primary SR 30: Athens, Decatur

    1455 ft · 25 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Decatur Pike

    8.9 mi · 13 min · Decatur Pike

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Memorial Drive

    2212 ft · 48 sec · West Memorial Drive

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Highway 58

    20 m · 1 sec · Highway 58

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Highway 58

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 South
56.6 mi · 33%
I 40 West
53.5 mi · 31%
I 75 South
35.9 mi · 21%
James H. Quillen Parkway
13.7 mi · 8%
Decatur Pike
8.93 mi · 5%
West Memorial Drive
0.42 mi
Longest Stretch

I 81 South

Merge slight left

56.4 mi · 01h 00m

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 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.5 mi
147.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sevierville
01h 36m from Johnson City
Leave By
10:32 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 170.6 miles (274.5 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 85.3 miles from Johnson City and 85.4 miles from Decatur.

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 23.5 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 10:32 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.70 one way or $45.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

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

Johnson City

#1 Johnson City

The most populous city in Washington County, Tennessee.

Population66,906
Coordinates36.3134400, -82.3534700
Altitude498
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

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

Population1,663
Coordinates35.5147900, -84.7902200
Altitude237
CountryUnited States
Start: Johnson City (-82.35347, 36.31344)
End: Decatur (-84.79022, 35.51479)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 275 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 41m
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
6.02 gal
22.79 L · about $22.70
Round trip
$45.40
12.04 gal · 45.58 L
Estimated CO2
53.5 kg one way
Round trip: 107 kg / 236 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.70 $45.40
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.60 $51.21
Premium $4.65 $28.02 $56.03
Diesel $5.30 $31.93 $63.86

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 Johnson City and Decatur. The current time is 13:35:07.

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.