Bells, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN is 170 miles and takes about 3h 10m via US 412 and I-24, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, specifically traversing Tennessee for its entirety. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that makes for an easy one-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
85 miles from Bells, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
109.3 mi
1h 59m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
I 24
2.9 mi
3m
High Street
1.6 mi
2m
Old Fort Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Golf Lane
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 109.3 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bells, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on US 70A; US 79; SR 88
1.6 mi·2 min·High Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 412 East: Jackson
3
Merge onto US 412
12 mi·14 min·US 412
4
Turn left onto US 412
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·US 412
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: NashvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
6
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi·3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 78BToward SR 96 East: MurfreesboroUse the right lane.
10
Turn straight onto SR 96
1.6 mi·3 min·Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn slight left
341 ft·14 sec
12
Turn left onto Golf Lane
0.4 mi·1 min·Golf Lane
13
Arrive at destination
Golf Lane
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 10 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, you'll want to ensure your tank is full before leaving Bells, TN, as there's only one main stop indicated. The extended 109.3-mile stretch on US 412 means you can cover significant ground before needing to think about a break, but it's always wise to plan a brief stop for stretching or refreshments.
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 85 miles from Bells, TN, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.3 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85 miles or 1h 34m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bells, 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 Bells, TN
This is one driving day of about 170 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Bells, 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 US 412 for about 109.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 14 and 167.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14 mi into trip|~17m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412 toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
5
111.1 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
5
111.8 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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.
7
164.1 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
167.7 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.58 one way
$53.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.18
$58.36
premium
$4.89
$32.71
$65.43
diesel
$5.61
$37.53
$75.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
Efficient EV
42.5
0
$14.87
$6.80
EV Truck/SUV
68
0
$23.80
$10.88
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Bells, TN
Late night
in Bells on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Late night
in City of Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
1 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 10m 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?
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with 98% of the journey on major roads like US 412 and I-24. You'll encounter a 109.3-mile stretch on US 412, offering a substantial period of uninterrupted travel. The Tennessee National Guard Parkway serves as a connector, smoothly transitioning you to the interstate. Expect a consistent pace with minimal slowdowns, characteristic of a highway-focused profile, making it a predictable and efficient journey.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.3 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 14 miles in near US 412.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 170 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.8 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Bells, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
111.1 mi in|~2h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 170 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.3 miles on US 412. 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 City of Murfreesboro, 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 14 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.8 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Murfreesboro, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
