This 178.6-mile drive from Benton, TN to Nashville, TN takes approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 97% of the drive taking place on interstates like I-24 and I-75, along with US 64. You can expect a fuel cost of around $28 for this journey. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop. This trip stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward transition between locations.
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
89.3 miles from Benton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
133.2 mi
2h 29m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
US 64
7.5 mi
8m
US 74
7 mi
9m
US 411
5.5 mi
7m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
0.9 mi
<1m
4th Avenue South
0.9 mi
1m
2nd Avenue South
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 133.2 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on Town Creek Road
314 ft·14 sec·Town Creek Road
2
Turn left onto Benton Station Road
433 ft·13 sec·Benton Station Road
3
Turn right onto US 411
5.5 mi·7 min·US 411
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
5
Merge onto US 64; US 74
7.5 mi·8 min·US 64; US 74
6
Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Bypass
7.0 mi·9 min·US 74; US 64 Bypass
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 24
133 mi·2 hr 29 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 440
0.9 mi·59 sec·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 6Toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
363 ft·6 sec·Nolensville Pike
Use the left / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 31A; US 41A
0.9 mi·1 min·4th Avenue South
16
Continue on US 31A; US 41A
0.2 mi·20 sec·Ensley Boulevard
17
Turn left onto US 31A; US 41A
0.9 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn slight left onto US 31A; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
0.7 mi·1 min·Lafayette Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
169 ft·2 sec·8th Avenue South
20
Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
0.3 mi·40 sec·8th Avenue South
21
Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 431
0.2 mi·34 sec·Rosa L Parks Boulevard
22
Turn right onto Rosa L Parks Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Rosa L Parks Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
411 ft·15 sec·Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi·1 min·7th Avenue North
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just over 3.5 hours, this drive from Benton to Nashville is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time at your destination, taking advantage of the flexibility this shorter trip offers. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, but with the longest stretch being 133.2 miles, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $28, and ensure you're comfortable before embarking on the longer segments of I-24. A practical tip for this route is to check traffic conditions for I-24 as you approach Nashville, as it can experience congestion during peak hours.
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 89.3 miles from Benton, TN, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.2 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.3 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benton, 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 Benton, TN
This is one driving day of about 178.6 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Benton, 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 24 for about 133.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 39 and 178.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
39 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
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.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
7
172.9 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 440 West: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward I 440 West: Memphis
8
174.5 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville Pike
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 6
Toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville Pike
7
174.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|US 31A; US 41A / Nolensville Pike
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A / Nolensville Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
178.3 mi into trip|~3h 29m in|Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.92 one way
$55.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.66
$61.31
premium
$4.89
$34.37
$68.74
diesel
$5.61
$39.43
$78.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 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
53.6
0
$18.75
$8.57
Efficient EV
44.7
0
$15.63
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$25.00
$11.43
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Benton, TN
Late night
in Benton on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nashville, TN
Night
in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
18 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
3h 31m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 147.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 178.6-mile journey. With 97% of the route on major roads like I-24, I-75, and US 64, you'll experience mostly high-speed travel. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 133.2 miles on I-24, offering a significant period of uninterrupted driving. While primarily interstate, the route incorporates US 64, which may introduce slight variations in the driving experience before merging back onto the interstate system. This drive is characterized by its efficiency and directness.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.2 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 178.6 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 39 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Benton, TN to Nashville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Chattanooga along the way.
Chattanooga
39.7 mi in|~50m|via I 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 178.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.2 miles on I 24. 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 Nashville, 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 39 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.5 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
