City of Murfreesboro, TN to Fall Branch, TN is 265.6 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I 40, I 81, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Tennessee. Given that it's primarily highway driving and can be completed in under five hours, it's a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You won't encounter significant mileage on surface streets, making it a predictable and efficient drive.
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
132.8 miles from City of Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.8 mi
3h 23m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
20.9 mi
22m
Northwest Broad Street
3.4 mi
5m
New Nashville Highway
0.9 mi
1m
TN 93
0.8 mi
<1m
SR 93
0.6 mi
<1m
Golf Lane
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.8 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Murfreesboro, TN and Fall Branch, TN.
1
Start on Golf Lane
0.4 mi·1 min·Golf Lane
2
Turn left onto SR 96
0.4 mi·45 sec·Old Fort Parkway
3
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·29 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·9 sec
5
Turn left onto US 41; US 70S
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwest Broad Street
6
Continue on US 41; US 70S
0.9 mi·1 min·New Nashville Highway
7
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville
8
Merge onto I 840
21 mi·22 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 76AToward I 40 East: Knoxville, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
149 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
14
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
15
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
16
Continue on TN 93
0.8 mi·57 sec·TN 93
17
Arrive at destination
TN 93
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under five hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing for a flexible departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach your destination without feeling rushed. The longest stretch without a major break is 185.8 miles on I 40, so plan for at least one stop for fuel or a quick stretch before you hit that point. The $42 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Given the high percentage of highway driving, be mindful of the speed limits and traffic patterns, especially around any urban areas you may pass through.
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 132.8 miles from City of Murfreesboro, TN, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.8 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.8 miles or 2h 29m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fall Branch, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving City of Murfreesboro, 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 City of Murfreesboro, TN
This is one driving day of about 265.6 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from City of Murfreesboro, 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 185.8 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 26.9 and 264.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
26.9 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
6
176.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
213.4 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
263.9 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
264.1 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.22 one way
$78.45 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.30
$86.60
premium
$4.72
$49.31
$98.63
diesel
$4.80
$50.15
$100.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.89
$12.75
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.24
$10.62
EV Truck/SUV
106.2
1
$37.18
$17.00
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Late night
in City of Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
5:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fall Branch, TN
Morning
in Fall Branch on Sunday
Local time
6:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph29% chanceLive 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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
4h 54m 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...
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 201.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on the highway, with a 98% highway share. You'll be on I 40 for a substantial stretch of 185.8 miles, which means you'll likely notice a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exit ramps. The route transitions to I 81 and then the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, but the majority of your time will be spent on high-speed interstates. Expect minimal time on surface roads, as the highway portion dominates the entire 265.6-mile trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 26.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 265.6 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 26.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,896 ft545 ft
Total Climb
2,300 ft
Total Descent
1,381 ft
Highest Point
1,896 ft
~94.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,351 ft
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 City of Murfreesboro, TN to Fall Branch, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 265.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m 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 185.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Fall Branch, 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Fall Branch, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
