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Trip from Central, TN to Franklin, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 38m

Distance

304.1 mi

489 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 26m ★
6 AM
5h 39m
8 AM
6h 5m
10 AM
5h 48m
12 PM
5h 45m
3 PM
5h 49m
5 PM
6h 4m
8 PM
5h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Central, TN, TN

Central, TN

Diego Girón

city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States

Franklin, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 304.1-mile journey from Central, TN, to Franklin, TN, is a substantial drive, estimated to take about 5 hours and 38 minutes. Designed as a highway-focused experience, you'll spend 97% of your time on major interstates like I-40 and I-81, plus the James H. Quillen Parkway. Given its length and duration, this trip works best as a single-day adventure, though you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace. Budget around $48 for fuel, and anticipate just one planned stop along the way. This route keeps you within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward transit between two points in Tennessee.

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

152.1 miles from Central, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 207.6 mi 3h 45m
I 81 57.1 mi 1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway 14.3 mi 17m
I 65 14.1 mi 15m
Murfreesboro Road 2.3 mi 3m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway 2.1 mi 2m
East Main Street 1.8 mi 4m
Elizabethton Highway 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 207.6 mi, about 3h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Central, TN and Franklin, TN.

1

Start on SR 91

1.5 mi · 2 min · Elizabethton Highway
2

Continue on SR 91

1.8 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
3

Turn straight

234 ft · 10 sec
4

Turn right onto SR 91

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Legion Street
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
6

Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23

14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Exit 8A Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
8

Merge onto I 81

56 mi · 1 hr · I 81
9

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81
Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
10

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40
Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 213A Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 53 Toward I 440 West: Memphis
14

Continue on I 440

2.1 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 5 Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
17

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 57 sec · this road
Exit 5 Toward 65: Huntsville
18

Merge onto I 65

14 mi · 15 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 65 Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn right onto TN 96

2.3 mi · 3 min · Murfreesboro Road
Use the right lane.
21

Continue on TN 96

0.3 mi · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96

397 ft · 6 sec · Public Square
23

Arrive at destination

US 31 Business; TN 96

Trip Plan

With a total duration of 5 hours and 38 minutes, starting your 304.1-mile drive from Central, TN, early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. You'll have one main stretch of 207.6 miles on I-40, so plan a fuel and rest stop before or after this long segment to stay comfortable. The estimated fuel cost is $48, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a highway-focused route, keep an eye on road conditions and potential construction zones, especially on I-40.

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 152.1 miles from Central, TN, or about 2h 51m 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 67 miles or 1h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 152.1 miles or 2h 51m 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 36m

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 Central, 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 Central, TN

This is one driving day of about 304.1 miles and 5h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Central, 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.

human settlement in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Spring City, TN

152 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

Sevierville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Spring City, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 152.1 miles from Central, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 207.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Americano Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 282.4

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16292036991

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Knoxville, Tennessee

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.6

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Americano Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 282.4

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16292036991

Visit website

Listening Room Cafe - Nashville

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 282.4

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16152593600

Visit website

Sky Blue Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 282.4

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+16157707097

Visit website

Sunflower Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 282.4

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16154572568

Visit website

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 282.4

Nashville, TN

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16158407933

Visit website

Mofongo Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 282.4

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+16159153642

Visit website

The Cookery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 282.4

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16152692911

Visit website

Flora + Fauna Cafe and Roaster

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv mile 282.4

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16158669170

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.6

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cultivate Coffee + Flowers

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.6

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18652537560

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 86.9

Kodak, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 86.9

Kodak, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336224743

Visit website

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 108.6

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 127.9 and 301.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
127.9 mi into trip | ~2h 26m 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
282.8 mi into trip | ~5h 12m 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
286.2 mi into trip | ~5h 17m 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
6
286.3 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
8
301.1 mi into trip | ~5h 33m 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

$47.54 one way

$95.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $52.20 $104.40
premium $4.89 $58.52 $117.04
diesel $5.61 $67.14 $134.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 91.2 1 $31.93 $14.60
Efficient EV 76 0 $26.61 $12.16
EV Truck/SUV 121.6 1 $42.57 $19.46

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (66% 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

Central, TN

Night in Central on Saturday

Local time

10:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, TN

Night in Franklin on Saturday

Local time

9:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

WSW 10 mph 62% chance Live forecast

75°F

Spring City, TN

152 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

32 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 38m 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

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 ~53 min detour Free near mile 272.7
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

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 ~70 min detour Free near mile 83.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway drive, with 97% of this 304.1-mile trip spent on major arteries. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 207.6 miles on I-40, meaning you'll have long periods of consistent speed. While the focus is on efficient travel, the inclusion of the James H. Quillen Parkway suggests a potential shift in scenery or road type for a portion of the journey. This route prioritizes covering distance, so prepare for an experience largely defined by the interstate system.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?

10/10

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 127.9 miles in near I 40.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 15 significant decision points across 304.1 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 127.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.2 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

1,877 ft 440 ft

Total Climb

1,343 ft

Total Descent

2,360 ft

Highest Point

1,877 ft

~195.5 mi in

Elevation Range

1,437 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Central, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.

Nashville

127.9 mi in | ~2h 26m | via I 40

Chattanooga

282.8 mi in | ~5h 12m

Huntsville

286.2 mi in | ~5h 17m

65: Huntsville

286.5 mi in | ~5h 17m

About the Cities

Arriving in Franklin, TN

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 38m. Total distance: 304.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 38m 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 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 127.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.2 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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