How far is South Pittsburg, TN from Johnson City, TN?

The driving distance from South Pittsburg, TN to Johnson City, TN is about 244.3 miles (393.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 208.5 miles (335.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
244.28 mi
03h 50m
Flight
208.47 mi
335.5 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Pittsburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
208.47 mi
Kilometers
335.5 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
244.28 mi
Kilometers
393.13 km
Drive Time
03h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Johnson City
Sat, Apr 18, 3:18 PM EDT
Return by in South Pittsburg
Sat, Apr 18, 6:08 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Pittsburg
2026-04-18T10:27
Arrive Johnson City
Sat, Apr 18, 2:18 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Pittsburg
9:00 PM CDT
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
Farragut
TN

Town of the United States

From South Pittsburg
122 mi
01h 55m
To Johnson City
122.3 mi
01h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Pittsburg and Johnson City.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    30 m · 13 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 3rd Street

    1214 ft · 35 sec · 3rd Street

  3. 3

    Turn left

    2.1 mi · 3 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I-24 East: Chattanooga

    1068 ft · 26 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    33.1 mi · 38 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville

    1.4 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    99.2 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    36.7 mi · 41 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

    56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville

    2112 ft · 40 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway

    14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward TN 91

    614 ft · 15 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    1705 ft · 38 sec · East Market Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Buffalo Street

    977 ft · 32 sec · Buffalo Street

  15. 15

    Turn right

    132 m · 32 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
137 mi · 56%
I 81 North
56.6 mi · 23%
I-24 East
33.3 mi · 14%
James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi · 6%
I 26 East
0.4 mi
East Market Street
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

I 75 North

Merge slight left

99.2 mi · 01h 50m

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 50m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.8 mi
208.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Farragut
01h 55m from South Pittsburg
Leave By
9:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving South Pittsburg and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Johnson City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Pittsburg to Johnson City?

The road trip is about 244.3 miles (393.1 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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?

Farragut is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122 miles from South Pittsburg and 122.3 miles from Johnson City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 208.5 miles (335.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.8 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.51 one way or $65.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.6 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between South Pittsburg 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 South Pittsburg and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Johnson City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Pittsburg and Johnson City. Straight-line distance: 208.47 mi (335.5 km).

South Pittsburg

#1 South Pittsburg

City in Marion County, Tennessee, United States

Population3,009
Coordinates35.0123000, -85.7044100
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Johnson City

#2 Johnson City

The most populous city in Washington County, Tennessee.

Population66,906
Coordinates36.3134400, -82.3534700
Altitude498
CountryUnited States
Start: 3rd Street (-85.704557, 35.01206)
End: Cherry Street (-82.353659, 36.313645)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 393 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.62 gal
32.63 L · about $32.51
Round trip
$65.01
17.24 gal · 65.26 L
Estimated CO2
76.6 kg one way
Round trip: 153.2 kg / 338 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.51 $65.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.66 $73.32
Premium $4.65 $40.12 $80.23
Diesel $5.30 $45.72 $91.44

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 18, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between South Pittsburg, TN and Johnson City, TN. The current time in South Pittsburg is 10:27:53, although it is 11:27:53 in Johnson City.

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.