Spanning 198.2 miles across the Southeast, this trip from Blaine to Nashville is a manageable journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 8 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $29 on fuel for the trip. Navigating this route involves a mix of local roads like Rutledge Pike and segments of I-24 West. It is an honest, straightforward trek across Tennessee that offers enough variety to keep you engaged while remaining efficient for a quick getaway.
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
99.1 miles from Blaine, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
180.6 mi
3h 17m
Rutledge Pike
14.2 mi
16m
Downtown Loop
1.1 mi
1m
James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
1m
I 24
0.3 mi
<1m
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
1m
Bates Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 180.6 mi, about 3h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on Bates Drive
238 ft·15 sec·Bates Drive
2
Turn left onto US 11W; SR 1
14 mi·16 min·Rutledge Pike
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
24 mi·27 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi·1 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 48Toward James Robertson Parkway, State CapitolUse the right lane.
10
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi·1 min·James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft·6 sec·3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi·43 sec·Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi·1 min·7th Avenue North
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour and 8-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one stop during the 198.2-mile trek to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $29 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local price differences along the route. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, prioritize comfort and stay alert on the local segments where you won't have the benefit of long, straight highway miles. Embracing the route's local personality is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in Nashville.
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 99.1 miles from Blaine, TN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.6 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.1 miles or 1h 50m 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 58m
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 Blaine, 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 Blaine, TN
This is one driving day of about 198.2 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Blaine, 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 180.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 38.2 and 197.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
38.2 mi into trip|~45m 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
9
193.1 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
195.2 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
8
196.7 mi into trip|~3h 36m in
Take the exit toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
6
197.6 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.99 one way
$61.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.02
$68.04
premium
$4.89
$38.14
$76.28
diesel
$5.61
$43.76
$87.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.5
0
$20.81
$9.51
Efficient EV
49.6
0
$17.34
$7.93
EV Truck/SUV
79.3
0
$27.75
$12.68
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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
Blaine, TN
Night
in Blaine on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nashville, TN
Night
in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
99 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
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 41m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the route features 0% highway share, you will be spending your time navigating through local transitions rather than sustained high-speed stretches. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Rutledge Pike, meaning the road requires your full attention as you shift from local passages toward the interstate connections. This profile makes for a more dynamic experience behind the wheel, as you move away from the patterns of traditional highway travel. You will find that the road demands active driving, keeping the journey feeling personal and connected to the landscape.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Rutledge Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.2 miles in near I 40.
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 12 significant decision points across 198.2 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 38.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 198.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m 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 180.6 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 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 38.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
