This 299.6-mile drive from Blountville, TN to Franklin, TN is a straightforward journey across the heart of Tennessee, taking approximately 5 hours and 29 minutes. With 98% highway driving, it's best suited as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $47. You'll spend most of your time on Interstates 40, 81, and 65, making for a very efficient transit through the Southeast region. This is a practical option if you're looking to cover ground quickly between these two Tennessee points.
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
149.8 miles from Blountville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
207.6 mi
3h 45m
I 81
69.2 mi
1h 14m
I 65
14.1 mi
15m
Murfreesboro Road
2.3 mi
3m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.1 mi
2m
Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
1 mi
1m
3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi
<1m
Public Square
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 207.6 mi, about 3h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blountville, TN and Franklin, 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
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 213AToward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: Memphis
11
Continue on I 440
2.1 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 5Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·57 sec·this road
Exit 5Toward 65: Huntsville
15
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 65Toward TN 96: Franklin, MurfreesboroUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto TN 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft·6 sec·Public Square
20
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 29-minute drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you near Franklin, TN. You'll only need one primary stop to break up the 207.6-mile stretch on I-40, so plan that strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $47 estimated cost suggests a consistent need for gas on this interstate-heavy route. Given it's a manageable distance for a single day, you have flexibility to depart when it suits you best, but remember to account for the full 299.6 miles when planning your breaks.
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 149.8 miles from Blountville, TN, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.6 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 66 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.8 miles or 2h 44m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 299.6 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 207.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 296.6 — 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
7
278.2 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...
8
281.6 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
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 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
8
296.6 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Take the exit toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.84 one way
$93.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.43
$102.85
premium
$4.89
$57.66
$115.31
diesel
$5.61
$66.15
$132.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.9
1
$31.46
$14.38
Efficient EV
74.9
0
$26.22
$11.98
EV Truck/SUV
119.8
1
$41.94
$19.17
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Blountville, TN
Late night
in Blountville on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, TN
Night
in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph62% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
150 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
3 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
5h 29m 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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 258.3
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 82.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for almost the entirety of this 299.6-mile trip. You'll be navigating major interstates, with a 98% highway share, so prepare for consistent speeds and limited opportunities for scenic detours off the main path. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 207.6 miles on I-40, meaning you can settle in for a significant period of driving. While the focus is on efficiency, this interstate-heavy profile means you'll be moving swiftly through the Tennessee landscape without much variation in road type until you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 207.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 299.6 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 123.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Blountville, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.
Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville.
There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 299.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m 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 207.6 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 Franklin, 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 278.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Franklin, TN before the return drive.
