Connecting Bean Station to Hendersonville, this 227.9-mile journey across Tennessee is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 4 hours and 21 minutes. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast, you will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend getaway, the simplicity of this path makes it a reliable choice for travelers who prefer a direct, no-nonsense drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
113.9 miles from Bean Station, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
159.7 mi
2h 54m
US 11W
40.1 mi
45m
SR 109
14.8 mi
20m
Nashville Pike
5.7 mi
8m
East Main Street
3 mi
4m
Appalachian Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Gallatin Road
1.4 mi
2m
Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 159.7 mi, about 2h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bean Station, TN and Hendersonville, TN.
1
Start on Old US 11W
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 11W; US 25E; SR 1; SR 32; ADHS S
1.6 mi·1 min·Appalachian Highway
3
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11W
40 mi·45 min·US 11W
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
24 mi·27 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
136 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 232Toward TN 109: GallatinUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn right onto SR 109
13 mi·18 min·SR 109
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto SR 109
2.1 mi·2 min·SR 109
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, HendersonvilleUse the right lane.
11
Turn right onto US 31E
5.7 mi·8 min·Nashville Pike
12
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
13
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·Gallatin Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 31E
1.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
15
Turn left onto Walton Ferry Road
53 ft·1 sec·Walton Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Walton Ferry Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly 4.5-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route is efficient enough to complete in one go, you should plan for at least one stop to break up the long 159.7-mile stretch on I-40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the interstate portion to ensure you aren't caught off guard by fluctuating prices. If you want to avoid peak congestion, try to time your departure to bypass heavy traffic flows common on major Tennessee corridors. A great way to stay comfortable is to use that single planned stop as a true reset, stretching your legs before tackling the final turn onto SR 109.
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 113.9 miles from Bean Station, TN, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.7 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 50 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.9 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Bean Station, 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 Bean Station, TN
This is one driving day of about 227.9 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Bean Station, 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 159.7 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 42.8 and 217.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
42.8 mi into trip|~49m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
66.4 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
202.5 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
5
202.8 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|SR 109
Turn right onto SR 109
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
217.6 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
$35.63 one way
$71.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.12
$78.24
premium
$4.89
$43.86
$87.71
diesel
$5.61
$50.32
$100.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.4
0
$23.93
$10.94
Efficient EV
57
0
$19.94
$9.12
EV Truck/SUV
91.2
1
$31.91
$14.59
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Bean Station, TN
Night
in Bean Station on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hendersonville, TN
Night
in Hendersonville on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
114 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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 196.4
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 7.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 94 percent of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 159.7 miles. The journey begins with stretches on US 11W before transitioning into the heavy-duty interstate portion that dominates the trip. As you move toward the final leg, you will eventually utilize SR 109 to complete the transition into Hendersonville. While the interstate sections provide a consistent, high-velocity rhythm, be prepared for the change in pace once you exit the main highway system to navigate the final approach.
94% 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: 159.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 11W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.8 miles in near I 40.
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 227.9 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 42.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Bean Station, TN to Hendersonville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
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 4h 21m. Total distance: 227.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 159.7 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: at 42.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Hendersonville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
