Spanning 284.9 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Blountville to Hendersonville is a straightforward journey typically lasting 5 hours and 20 minutes. Because the route is entirely contained within the Southeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the trip. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day endeavor, allowing you to comfortably reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $42 for fuel should cover your travel needs, making this a budget-friendly option for those crossing the state. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the efficiency of this highway-focused path makes it a reliable choice for your schedule.
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
142.4 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
188.8 mi
3h 25m
I 81
69.2 mi
1h 14m
SR 109
14.8 mi
20m
Nashville Pike
5.7 mi
8m
East Main Street
3 mi
4m
Gallatin Road
1.4 mi
2m
Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
1 mi
1m
Bristol Highway
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 188.8 mi, about 3h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blountville, TN and Hendersonville, 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
136 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 232Toward TN 109: GallatinUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto SR 109
13 mi·18 min·SR 109
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto SR 109
2.1 mi·2 min·SR 109
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, HendersonvilleUse the right lane.
13
Turn right onto US 31E
5.7 mi·8 min·Nashville Pike
14
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
15
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·Gallatin Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 31E
1.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
17
Turn left onto Walton Ferry Road
53 ft·1 sec·Walton Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Walton Ferry Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 20-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the long 188.8-mile stretch on I-40. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day traffic congestion, especially as you approach the more populated areas near Hendersonville. Since the route is efficient, you have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary if you encounter unexpected delays on the interstate. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting that long I-40 segment, as service station availability can vary along the highway corridors. Utilizing your one planned stop strategically will help you stay refreshed and ensure a smooth arrival.
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 142.4 miles from Blountville, TN, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.8 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 142.4 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 Hendersonville, 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 284.9 miles and 5h 20m.
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 188.8 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 0 and 274.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 126 / Bristol Highway
Turn right onto SR 126 / Bristol Highway
Navigation decision point
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
259.4 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward TN 109: Gallatin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 232
Toward TN 109: Gallatin
7
274.5 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.54 one way
$89.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.90
$97.81
premium
$4.89
$54.83
$109.65
diesel
$5.61
$62.90
$125.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.5
1
$29.91
$13.68
Efficient EV
71.2
0
$24.93
$11.40
EV Truck/SUV
114
1
$39.89
$18.23
Gas CO2
100 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Blountville, TN
Morning
in Blountville on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hendersonville, TN
Late night
in Hendersonville on Sunday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
142 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
25 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
5h 20m 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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 255.4
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 78.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 96% of the trip spent on highways, you should prepare for a primary interstate experience. You will rely heavily on I-81 and I-40 to cover the bulk of the distance, with a transition onto SR 109 as you near your destination. Expect a significant stretch of open road, as the longest uninterrupted segment covers 188.8 miles on I-40. While the route is largely an interstate grind, the shift from the eastern mountain regions toward the central part of the state keeps the driving profile consistent. You will find that this high-speed, highway-focused character allows you to maintain a steady pace for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 126 / Bristol Highway.
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 284.9 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (SR 126 / Bristol Highway): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 123.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Blountville, TN to Hendersonville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Hendersonville is a city in Sumner County of the American state of Tennessee. It is a well-known suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, and has been the home of many country music stars, including Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 284.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.8 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 Hendersonville, 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: near the start (SR 126 / Bristol Highway): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 123.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hendersonville, TN before the return drive.
