Origin
Chapel Hill, TN
Night in Chapel Hill on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chapel Hill, TN to Nashville, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
120.7 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chapel Hill, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 120.7-mile drive from Chapel Hill, TN, to Nashville, TN, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 23 minutes on the road, with the majority of your time spent on I-40. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this route is an economical option for a quick trip between these two Southeast Tennessee locations. The highway share of 82% means you'll be on faster roads for most of the journey, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.4 miles from Chapel Hill, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 99.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| South Broad Street | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| Life Road | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| Lexington Bypass | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 7th Avenue North | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Joe Horton Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Joe Horton Road
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Joe Horton Road
3
Turn right onto SR 200
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Life Road
4
Continue on SR 200
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Life Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto SR 459
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Bypass
6
At end of road, turn left onto TN 22
12 mi
·
17 min
·
South Broad Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
8
Merge onto I 40
99 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 40; I 65
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
Downtown Loop
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 209
Toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on 12th Avenue North
200 ft
·
12 sec
·
12th Avenue North
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 70
329 ft
·
7 sec
·
Charlotte Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
15
Turn left onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 23-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll want to consider leaving Chapel Hill early to make the most of your time in Nashville, especially since there are no designated stops in the data. The longest stretch of 99.3 miles on I-40 means you can cover a significant distance without needing to refuel, but it's always wise to check your tank before heading out. The estimated fuel cost is $19, so plan accordingly. Take advantage of the short travel time by leaving when it's most convenient for you.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.4 miles from Chapel Hill, TN, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 27 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.4 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, TN
This is one driving day of about 120.7 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Chapel Hill, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.4 miles from Chapel Hill, 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 99.3 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 119.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Joe Horton Road
At end of road, turn right onto Joe Horton Road
Navigation decision point
5
6.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
SR 459 / Lexington Bypass
At end of road, turn right onto SR 459 / Lexington Bypass
Navigation decision point
9
118.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
8
119.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Street
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 209
Toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Stre...
7
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
US 70 / Charlotte Avenue
Turn left onto US 70 / Charlotte Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.87 one way
$37.74 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.72 | $41.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.23 | $46.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.65 | $53.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.56 | $4.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.72 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Nashville, TN
Night in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
1 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
2h 23m 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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 120.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 99.3 miles on I-40, which offers a consistent pace. While the profile is primarily highway, you will also utilize South Broad Street and Life Road, offering brief transitions off the main interstate. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower, more winding local roads.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and South Broad Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Joe Horton Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 120.7 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: at 0.2 miles (Joe Horton Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (SR 459 / Lexington Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 118.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chapel Hill, TN and Nashville, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington and Huntingdon.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad
19.4 mi in
|
~31m
Lexington
19.4 mi in
|
~31m
Huntingdon
19.4 mi in
|
~31m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 120.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Joe Horton Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (SR 459 / Lexington Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 118.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Nashville, TN before heading back.
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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