How far is Johnson City, TN from Lakeland, TN?
The driving distance from Johnson City, TN to Lakeland, TN is about 473.4 miles (761.8 km), with a travel time of about 08h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 420.7 miles (677 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 18m 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 39m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Johnson City and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City and Lakeland.
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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
187.2 mi · 3 hr 22 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Canada Road, Lakeland
883 ft · 22 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Canada Road North
131 m · 10 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Canada Road
2312 ft · 56 sec · Canada Road
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21
Turn right onto Leeward Slopes Lane
70 m · 10 sec · Leeward Slopes Lane
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leeward Slopes Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Johnson City and Lakeland.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Memphis
187 mi · 03h 22m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Johnson City and Mostly Sunny near Lakeland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Johnson City to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 473.4 miles (761.8 km) and usually takes 08h 39m 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 236.4 miles from Johnson City and 237 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 420.7 miles (677 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.7 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 $62.98 one way or $125.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 148.4 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 Lakeland, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Johnson City and Mostly Sunny near Lakeland.
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 Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 420.69 mi (677.04 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 Lakeland
City in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 12,657 |
| Coordinates | 35.2306400, -89.7403600 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakeland (-89.74036, 35.23064)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 762 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $62.98 | $125.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $71.03 | $142.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $77.72 | $155.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $88.58 | $177.15 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.