Stretching 184.7 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Alcoa to Hendersonville is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes behind the wheel. Because the route is compact, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip, requiring only one planned stop to break up the travel. You should budget approximately $28 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Southeast locations. Navigating the connection relies heavily on the Pellissippi Parkway, I-40, and SR 109. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a reliable and efficient corridor across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.4 miles from Alcoa, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
143.2 mi
2h 34m
SR 109
14.8 mi
20m
Pellissippi Parkway
11.3 mi
13m
Nashville Pike
5.7 mi
8m
East Main Street
3 mi
4m
North Wright Road
2.1 mi
5m
Gallatin Road
1.4 mi
2m
Alcoa Highway
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 143.2 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alcoa, TN and Hendersonville, TN.
1
Start on Springbrook Road
23 ft·1 sec·Springbrook Road
2
Continue on Springbrook Road
79 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Springbrook Road
94 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
4
Turn left onto Springbrook Road
115 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
5
Continue on East Edison Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Edison Street
6
Turn left onto North Wright Road
2.1 mi·5 min·North Wright Road
7
Take the ramp
263 ft·8 sec
8
Merge onto US 129; TN 115
1.1 mi·1 min·Alcoa Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 140 North
10
Merge onto I 140
11 mi·13 min·Pellissippi Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South: Nashville, Chattanooga
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 40; I 75
7.2 mi·8 min·I 40; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
136 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 232Toward TN 109: GallatinUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto SR 109
13 mi·18 min·SR 109
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto SR 109
2.1 mi·2 min·SR 109
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, HendersonvilleUse the right lane.
19
Turn right onto US 31E
5.7 mi·8 min·Nashville Pike
20
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
21
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·Gallatin Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 31E
1.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
23
Turn left onto Walton Ferry Road
53 ft·1 sec·Walton Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Walton Ferry Road
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since the 3-hour and 35-minute duration provides plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Aim to time your exit to avoid peak traffic periods on the major interstates, as the heavy highway reliance means congestion could impact your arrival time. Since you only have one recommended stop, choose a location along that 143.2-mile stretch of I-40 to refuel or stretch your legs effectively. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longest interstate segment to ensure you stay within your $28 gas budget. Because this is a single-day route, you have the advantage of completing the entire trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 92.4 miles from Alcoa, TN, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 41 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendersonville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alcoa, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alcoa, TN
This is one driving day of about 184.7 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Alcoa, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 143.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 174.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Springbrook Road
At end of road, turn left onto Springbrook Road
Navigation decision point
5
3.8 mi into trip|~7m in|I 140 / Pellissippi Parkway
Merge onto I 140 / Pellissippi Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
23.3 mi into trip|~31m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
7
159.3 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward TN 109: Gallatin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 232
Toward TN 109: Gallatin
7
174.4 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.88 one way
$57.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.70
$63.41
premium
$4.89
$35.54
$71.09
diesel
$5.61
$40.78
$81.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.39
$8.87
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.16
$7.39
EV Truck/SUV
73.9
0
$25.86
$11.82
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Alcoa, TN
Late night
in Alcoa on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hendersonville, TN
Night
in Hendersonville on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Monterey, TN
92 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 159.3
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of your travel time will be spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, uninterrupted rhythm for 143.2 miles while cruising along I-40, which forms the core of your journey. The transition from the Pellissippi Parkway onto the interstate provides a consistent driving environment, making this a practical choice for those who prefer steady highway speeds over technical, winding local roads. While the drive is predominantly a straightforward interstate grind, the shift to SR 109 toward the end of your trip offers a change of pace as you approach your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and SR 109. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Springbrook Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 184.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Springbrook Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (I 140 / Pellissippi Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alcoa, TN and Hendersonville, TN, road signs point toward Chattanooga and Nashville.
Hendersonville is a city in Sumner County of the American state of Tennessee. It is a well-known suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, and has been the home of many country music stars, including Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 184.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.2 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hendersonville, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Springbrook Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (I 140 / Pellissippi Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Hendersonville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
