Blountville, TN to the City of Murfreesboro, TN is 284.3 miles and takes about 5h 14m via I 40, I 81, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee, making it a straightforward drive. With nearly all of the route on major highways, it's a practical choice for a quick trip. Expect minimal deviations from the interstate, making it an efficient way to cover the distance.
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
142.2 miles from Blountville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.5 mi
3h 22m
I 81
69.2 mi
1h 14m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
21 mi
22m
Northwest Broad Street
3.4 mi
5m
Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
1 mi
1m
New Nashville Highway
0.8 mi
1m
Golf Lane
0.4 mi
1m
Old Fort Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blountville, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on this road
98 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto SR 126
179 ft·7 sec·Bristol Highway
3
Turn right onto TN 394; I 81 Alt
1.0 mi·1 min·Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 81 SouthUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 81
68 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 81
6
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
7
Merge onto I 40
53 mi·59 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
133 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 235Toward I 840 West: Memphis, MurfreesboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 840
21 mi·22 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 55A-BToward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, SmyrnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 55AToward US 41 South, US 70S East: MurfreesbordUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
14
Turn straight onto US 41; US 70S
0.8 mi·1 min·New Nashville Highway
15
Continue on US 41; US 70S
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwest Broad Street
16
Turn right
0.2 mi·37 sec
17
Turn straight onto SR 96
0.4 mi·42 sec·Old Fort Parkway
18
Turn right onto Golf Lane
0.4 mi·1 min·Golf Lane
19
Arrive at destination
Golf Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 14m estimated drive time, leaving Blountville in the morning should get you to Murfreesboro with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll want to plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break, especially since the longest stretch without a major exit is over 185 miles. The $43 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart. Keep an eye out for the transition from the interstates to the Tennessee National Guard Parkway as you get closer to Murfreesboro.
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 142.2 miles from Blountville, TN, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 63 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.2 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
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 Blountville, 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 Blountville, TN
This is one driving day of about 284.3 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Blountville, 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 185.5 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 1.1 and 278.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 81 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 81 South
7
123.4 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
8
256.1 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
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 235
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
8
278.2 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
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 55A-B
Toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
9
278.4 mi into trip|~5h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.98 one way
$83.97 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.35
$92.70
premium
$4.72
$52.79
$105.57
diesel
$4.80
$53.68
$107.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.3
1
$29.85
$13.65
Efficient EV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.37
EV Truck/SUV
113.7
1
$39.80
$18.20
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Blountville, TN
Late night
in Blountville on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:23PM CDT until July 17 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Late night
in City of Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:23PM CDT until July 17 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 14m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 284.3
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 78.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 97% of the 284.3 miles on interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 185.5 miles on I 40, indicating extended periods of cruising. The Tennessee National Guard Parkway makes up the remainder of the route, likely offering a different road surface as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
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 11 significant decision points across 284.3 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 123.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.1 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
1,942 ft533 ft
Total Climb
1,350 ft
Total Descent
2,306 ft
Highest Point
1,942 ft
~182.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,409 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blountville, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 284.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m 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 185.5 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 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 123.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.1 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 and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at City of Murfreesboro, TN before the return drive.
