Traveling from Altamont to Franklin covers 96 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Since the journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel for this commute. The route keeps you entirely within the Southeast region of Tennessee, transitioning from the higher elevations of Altamont toward the suburban landscape of Franklin. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a straightforward connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48 miles from Altamont, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
53 mi
56m
Murfreesboro Road
12.8 mi
19m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10.3 mi
10m
Pelham Road
10 mi
17m
Elkhead Road
4.8 mi
8m
SR 50
2.7 mi
4m
Horton Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 53 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altamont, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on Cumberland Street
182 ft·10 sec·Cumberland Street
2
Turn right onto Pelham Road
195 ft·15 sec·Pelham Road
3
Turn left onto SR 56; SR 108
26 ft·2 sec·Main Street
4
Turn right onto SR 50; SR 108
9.9 mi·17 min·Pelham Road
5
Continue on SR 50
4.8 mi·8 min·Elkhead Road
6
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 50
2.7 mi·4 min·SR 50
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
8
Merge onto I 24
53 mi·56 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 840
10 mi·10 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·46 sec
Exit 42Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, LewisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
0.5 mi·57 sec·Horton Highway
13
Turn left onto SR 96
13 mi·19 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft·6 sec·Public Square
16
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Because this is a manageable two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road early if you want to avoid peak traffic periods near the metropolitan hubs along your path. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily pace the trip according to your personal comfort, though it is wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer interstate sections. Given the $15 fuel cost, it is a budget-friendly excursion that doesn't require complex logistics. Use the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to bypass potential congestion as you near your final destination in Franklin.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48 miles from Altamont, TN, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53 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 21 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altamont, 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 Altamont, TN
This is one driving day of about 96 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Altamont, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 53 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 81.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street
Turn left onto SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
17.7 mi into trip|~31m in|I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
70.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
5
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42
Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.01 one way
$30.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.48
$32.96
premium
$4.89
$18.47
$36.95
diesel
$5.61
$21.20
$42.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
Efficient EV
24
0
$8.40
$3.84
EV Truck/SUV
38.4
0
$13.44
$6.14
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Altamont, TN
Night
in Altamont on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, TN
Night
in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
34 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
2h 2m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as highway travel accounts for 69% of your total time on the road. You will spend the bulk of your journey on I-24, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 53 miles. Beyond the interstate, the route transitions onto Murfreesboro Road and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to complete the final leg of the trip. While the interstate portions provide a fast-paced environment, the local road segments offer a change of pace as you approach the Franklin area. Overall, the drive maintains a consistent, highway-focused personality that favors speed and direct navigation.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Murfreesboro Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 96 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: at 0.1 miles (SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.7 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,954 ft597 ft
Total Climb
358 ft
Total Descent
1,569 ft
Highest Point
1,954 ft
~6.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,357 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Altamont, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lewisburg along the way.
Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville.
There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 96 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Franklin, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.7 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Franklin, TN before heading back.
