How far is Memphis, TN from Johnson City, TN?
The driving distance from Memphis, TN to Johnson City, TN is about 495.6 miles (797.6 km), with a travel time of about 07h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 438.9 miles (706.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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 07h 16m.
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.
City in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Memphis and Johnson City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis and Johnson City.
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1
Start on Poplar Avenue
58 m · 11 sec · Poplar Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
1162 ft · 34 sec · North B. B. King Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 40 East
553 ft · 14 sec
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4
Merge slight left
12 mi · 15 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
197.9 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
1305 ft · 25 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
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8
Continue on Downtown Loop
2764 ft · 43 sec · Downtown Loop
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
173.8 mi · 3 hr 10 min
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10
Keep slight left
36.7 mi · 41 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
2112 ft · 40 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward TN 91
614 ft · 15 sec
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15
Turn right onto East Market Street
1705 ft · 36 sec · East Market Street
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16
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
977 ft · 32 sec · Buffalo Street
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17
Turn right
132 m · 32 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Memphis and Johnson City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
198 mi · 03h 34m
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 leaving Memphis and Sunny near Johnson City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Memphis to Johnson City?
The road trip is about 495.6 miles (797.6 km) and usually takes 07h 16m 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?
Watertown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 247.5 miles from Memphis and 248.1 miles from Johnson City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 438.9 miles (706.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.7 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 CDT. 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 $65.95 one way or $131.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 155.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Memphis and Johnson City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Memphis and Sunny near Johnson City.
Stop Ideas Near Watertown
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 Watertown.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Memphis and Johnson City. Straight-line distance: 438.92 mi (706.38 km).
#1 Memphis
The twenty-ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Memphis metropolitan area.
| Population | 649,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.1495300, -90.0489800 |
| Altitude | 78 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Johnson City
The most populous city in Washington County, Tennessee.
| Population | 66,906 |
| Coordinates | 36.3134400, -82.3534700 |
| Altitude | 498 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cherry Street (-82.353659, 36.313645)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 798 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $65.95 | $131.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $74.38 | $148.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $81.40 | $162.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $92.77 | $185.53 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.