How far is Johnson City, TN from Nashville, TN?
The driving distance from Johnson City, TN to Nashville, TN is about 285.3 miles (459.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 247.1 miles (397.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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.
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 04h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Neighborhood in Manhattan in New York City
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Johnson City and Nashville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City and Nashville.
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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 right to continue on I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
1725 ft · 28 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
1.1 mi · 2 min · Downtown Loop
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16
Take the exit straight toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
1033 ft · 35 sec
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17
Turn straight onto James Robertson Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min · James Robertson Parkway
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18
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
39 m · 7 sec · 3rd Avenue North
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19
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
1652 ft · 43 sec · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
1260 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue North
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Johnson City and Nashville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 West
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Johnson City and Sunny near Nashville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Johnson City to Nashville?
The road trip is about 285.3 miles (459.2 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
Midtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.3 miles from Johnson City and 143 miles from Nashville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 247.1 miles (397.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 8:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.97 one way or $75.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.5 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 Nashville, 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 Nashville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Johnson City and Nashville. Straight-line distance: 247.11 mi (397.69 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 Nashville
The twenty-second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Nashville metropolitan area.
| Population | 684,410 |
| Coordinates | 36.1658900, -86.7844400 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-86.784719, 36.165773)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.97 | $75.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.83 | $85.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.87 | $93.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.41 | $106.82 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.