Drive or Fly: Red Bank, TN to Franklin, TN?

Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.

Driving wins

Medium

Short enough to drive comfortably in a day. Airport overhead makes flying slower door-to-door. Available flights require a connection, adding time and cost.

Passengers:

Vehicle:

Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)

Drive

Door to Door

4h 18m

Distance

217 mi

Total Cost

$76

CO2

88 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$41

Hotel (1 room, 0 nights) $0

Meals (1 pax, 1 day) $35

+ No luggage restrictions or TSA lines

+ Comfortable one-day drive

+ Stop anywhere along the route

+ Have your own car at the destination

+ Likely faster door-to-door than flying

− Wear and tear on vehicle

− Fuel price fluctuations

Plan the drive

Fly

Door to Door

3h 13m

21m in the air

Air Distance

175 mi

Total Cost

$182

CO2

45 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Red Bank, TN → TYS 26m

Check-in & Security 90m

Flight 21m

Arrival & Baggage 30m

BNA → Franklin, TN 26m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $127) $127

Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Red Bank, TN TYS — McGhee Tyson Airport 17 mi, ~26m drive

Franklin, TN BNA — Nashville International Airport 17 mi, ~26m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

100.0%

+ Less physical fatigue

+ Predictable arrival time

− Airport security and check-in overhead

− May need a rental car at destination

− Luggage fees and restrictions

− Less flexibility for stops along the way

Bus

FlixBus

Door to Door

4h 13m

2h 45m on road

Total Cost

$18

CO2

9 kg

Route

Greyhound US0600

Door-to-Door Timeline

Red Bank, TN → Knoxville Area Transit Bus Stop (KNO6) 38m

Boarding 15m

Bus ride 165m

Arrival 10m

Nashville Bus Station (NAS6) → Franklin, TN 25m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $18) $18

Estimated based on distance. Check flixbus.com for current prices.

Stations

From KNO6 — Knoxville Area Transit Bus Stop 25 mi, ~38m drive

To NAS6 — Nashville Bus Station 17 mi, ~25m drive

Service

Direct

Frequency

~8/week

+ Usually the cheapest option

+ Wi-Fi and power outlets on board

+ No driving fatigue — relax or work en route

+ Much lower carbon footprint than driving or flying

− Limited schedule — about 8 trips per week

− Travel time longer than driving

− Need transportation to/from station

− Less flexibility than driving

At a Glance

	Drive	Fly	Bus
Door-to-door time	4h 18m	3h 13m	4h 13m
Total cost (1 person)	$76	$182	$18
Carbon footprint	88 kg CO₂	45 kg CO₂	9 kg CO₂
Flexibility	High	Low
Luggage	Unlimited	Restricted
Reliability	Weather dependent	100% on-time

Drive data: OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices

Flight data: Statistical estimate

Airports: OurAirports

Transit: FlixBus GTFS — fares estimated

Confidence: Medium — airports identified, fares estimated

Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Jul 20, 2026.

Route Options

2 different routes between these cities.

Fastest

217 mi 4h 17m

via I 40, US 321, I 65

Alternative (+32 min)

218.1 mi 4h 49m

via US 70S, I 40, US 321

Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Red Bank, TN to Franklin, TN with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.