Origin
Bolivar, TN
Night in Bolivar on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bolivar, TN to Murfreesboro, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 36m
Distance
183.4 mi
295 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 24m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
4h 0m
8 PM
3h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bolivar, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on this 183.4-mile journey from Bolivar, TN, to Murfreesboro, TN, will take you approximately 3 hours and 36 minutes of driving time. This route is highly focused on highway travel, with 91% of the distance covered on major roadways, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $29. Given its efficient highway profile, you can expect a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of Tennessee without the need for an overnight stop, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
91.7 miles from Bolivar, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 89.2 mi | 1h 35m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| TN 18 | 20.3 mi | 30m |
| Whitehall Street | 4 mi | 6m |
| South Highland Avenue | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| North Main Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| I 24 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| East Chester Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 89.2 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bolivar, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on SR 18; SR 125
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on TN 18
20 mi
·
30 min
·
TN 18
3
Turn left onto US 45
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
South Highland Avenue
4
Continue on US 45
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
South Highland Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 45 Bypass
492 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Church Street
6
Turn right onto US 70
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
South Cumberland Street
7
Merge onto US 70
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Chester Street
8
Turn right onto US 70
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Whitehall Street
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
10
Merge onto I 40
89 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
I 40
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
12
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Use the right lane.
16
Turn straight onto SR 96
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft
·
6 sec
19
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwest Broad Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Main Street
21
Turn right onto South Maple Street
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Maple Street
22
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
467 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Public Square
23
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
47 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Main Street
24
Continue on East Main Street
347 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Main Street
25
Turn right onto South Spring Street
84 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Spring Street
26
Arrive at destination
South Spring Street
Trip Plan
With a driving duration of under four hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, offering plenty of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination or to avoid any potential traffic. You'll encounter one recommended stop, so plan accordingly to stretch your legs. Keep in mind the longest stretch is over 89 miles on I-40, so ensure you have adequate fuel before entering that section. The estimated fuel cost is approximately $29.
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 91.7 miles from Bolivar, TN, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.2 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 40 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.7 miles or 1h 52m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, TN
This is one driving day of about 183.4 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Bolivar, 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 89.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.7 miles from Bolivar, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 123.7 and 182.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
123.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
5
124.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
176.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
180.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
6
182.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.67 one way
$57.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.48 | $62.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.29 | $70.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.49 | $80.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55 | 0 | $19.26 | $8.80 |
| Efficient EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.68 | $11.74 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Murfreesboro, TN
Night in Murfreesboro on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 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
3h 36m 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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 177
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 91% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-40, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 89.2 miles. The road character is primarily that of efficient travel, with Tennessee National Guard Parkway and TN 18 offering some variation before merging onto the interstate. Expect a consistent pace suitable for covering ground effectively.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 183.4 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 123.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.4 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 Bolivar, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
123.7 mi in
|
~2h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 183.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.2 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 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 123.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.4 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Murfreesboro, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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