Major city · United States
Kingston, TennesseeKingston
Give Kingston one night as an I-40 stop between Knoxville and Nashville, or skip it: the fort and the lake park take half a day, not a trip.
Kingston is a small Roane County town on Watts Bar Lake, about 40 min west of Knoxville on I-40. It was a frontier post at Fort Southwest Point from 1792 and served as Tennessee's capital for a single day in 1807. Two things justify a stop: the reconstructed fort and the lakefront city park. Everything else is a bed and a meal on the way through.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (many lake facilities closed)
- Airports
- TYS · CHA · BNA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kingston, Tennessee911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kingston, Tennessee, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyKingston is a low-crime small town and the usual risks are driving on I-40, summer heat and lake water quality.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTYS McGhee Tyson, Knoxville (About 40 min east by I-40; the practical airport for Kingston.).
- Getting aroundA car is the default: sights sit 2–5 km (1.2–3.1 mi) apart and there is no useful local bus for visitors.A car is the default: sights sit 1.2–3.1 mi (2–5 km) apart and there is no useful local bus for visitors.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$2–5
- Sit-down mealLunch or dinner mainUS$12–25
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfastUS$8–15
- BeerDraught beerUS$5–8
- Budget bedLake house rental (up to 6), a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedI-40 chain motel room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedI-40 chain motel room, a night, per roomUS$170
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TYS McGhee Tyson, Knoxville (About 40 min east by I-40; the practical airport for Kingston.) · CHA Chattanooga Metropolitan (About 2 h south by I-75 and I-40; check before booking.) · BNA Nashville International (About 2 h 30 min west by I-40; use it only if the fare is much lower.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid*
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Kingston, Tennessee: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the default: sights sit 2–5 km apart and there is no useful local bus for visitors. I-40 runs along the north edge of town, US 70 through the middle. Downtown and the lakefront park are walkable from each other in about 15–20 min. Knoxville is about 40 min east, Nashville about 2 h 30 min west.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
I-40 east, about 40 min by car
Market Square, the Old City and the riverfront; a full day if you add the museums.
Townsend and the Smokies
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
US 321 and US 129 east through Lenoir City, about 1 h 15 min
Quiet west-side entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park; go early, parking fills.
Door to door: About 2 h
I-75 south then I-40, about 2 h
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Pigeon Forge
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
I-40 east then US 441, about 1 h 45 min
Long day with traffic; only worth it if the attractions are the point of the trip.
Cleveland, Tennessee
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
I-75 south, about 1 h 30 min
A half-day town; pair it with Chattanooga rather than driving back.
Greeneville
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
I-40 east then I-81, about 2 h 15 min
East Tennessee history stop; better as part of an eastern loop.
Kingsport
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
I-40 east then I-81 north, about 2 h 30 min
Too far for a day return from Kingston.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
I-40 exit 352–355 strip
Chain motels and diners at the interchange; the easy one-night stop with a car.
Downtown Kingston and Kentucky Street
Small historic core near the river; a few independent places, walkable to the waterfront.
Watts Bar Lake shore
Rural inns and rentals on the water, including the Whitestone Inn area; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$110–180 excl. bed
- High
- US$180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| I-40 chain motel room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| Fuel, Knoxville to Kingston and back1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$256 per person per day, bed included | US$512 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$2–5 |
| Diner breakfast | US$8–15 |
| Lunch or dinner main | US$12–25 |
| Draught beer | US$5–8 |
| Fuel, 1 US gallon | US$3–4 |
| Chain motel room, one night | US$70–170 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- You need a car: distances between the fort, downtown and the lake are too long to walk in summer heat.
- Swimming in Watts Bar Lake and the Clinch River has had water-quality warnings over the years: check current advisories before you get in.
- The Kingston Fossil Plant is an active industrial site; the ash spill area is not a visitor attraction.
- Summer afternoons are hot and humid; do the fort and park in the morning.
- Cell coverage is fine in town but patchy on the back roads around the lake.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Kingston, TennesseeKingston
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Kingston; the nearest are in Atlanta, with some honorary offices in Knoxville and Nashville. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- TYS airport → Kingston by car: about 40 min, 55 km (34 mi)about 40 min, 34 mi (55 km)
- Kingston → Knoxville by car: about 40 min, 60 km (37 mi)about 40 min, 37 mi (60 km)
- Kingston → Nashville by car: about 2 h 30 min, 240 km (149 mi)about 2 h 30 min, 149 mi (240 km)
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the water safe to swim in? — Is the water safe to swim in?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a table for two? — Is there a table for two?
- How far is Knoxville? — How far is Knoxville?
- Thank you — Thank you
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kingston, Tennessee. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (many lake facilities closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TYS: last sensible arrival time, rental-car desk hours, I-40 drive time to Kingston.
- Walking cluster for downtown Kingston and the lakefront park, with a heat and storm rescue anchor.
- Place pages with verified hours for Fort Southwest Point and Kingston City Park, plus water-quality advisory links.
- Eat pages for the I-40 strip and downtown, with last orders and Sunday closures.