How far is Johnson City, TN from Watertown, TN?
The driving distance from Johnson City, TN to Watertown, TN is about 252.8 miles (406.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 211.1 miles (339.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 30m 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 45m.
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.
City in Loudon County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Johnson City and Watertown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City and Watertown.
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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
113.7 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward TN 141: Alexandria
1380 ft · 41 sec
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14
Turn left
1440 ft · 24 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Alexandria Highway
6.2 mi · 9 min · Alexandria Highway
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16
Turn right onto Edgewood Road
2327 ft · 46 sec · Edgewood Road
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17
Continue on Edgewood Street
2780 ft · 58 sec · Edgewood Street
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18
Turn right onto Spring Street
721 ft · 34 sec · Spring Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Locust Street
2440 ft · 2 min · Locust Street
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20
Turn right onto Nashville Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Nashville Highway
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21
Continue on Sparta Pike
4.1 mi · 6 min · Sparta Pike
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22
Turn right onto East Main Street
2279 ft · 1 min · East Main Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Johnson City and Watertown.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Nashville
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
114 mi · 02h 02m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Johnson City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Watertown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Johnson City to Watertown?
The road trip is about 252.8 miles (406.8 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?
Lenoir City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126.2 miles from Johnson City and 126.5 miles from Watertown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 211.1 miles (339.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.7 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.64 one way or $67.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.3 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 Watertown, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Johnson City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Watertown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Johnson City and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 211.15 mi (339.82 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 Watertown
City in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 1,517 |
| Coordinates | 36.1003400, -86.1319300 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
End: Watertown (-86.13193, 36.10034)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 407 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.64 | $67.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.94 | $75.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.51 | $83.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.31 | $94.62 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.