Origin
Clifton, TN
Late night in Clifton on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, TN to Franklin, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 9m
Distance
97.7 mi
157 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Clifton to Franklin, Tennessee, you are looking at a straightforward 97.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes. This trip sits entirely within the Southeast region, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You should budget roughly $15 for fuel to complete the drive, which is manageable for most travelers. Because the transit time is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra plans at your destination. It is a practical, efficient route that connects these two Tennessee locations without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.9 miles from Clifton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 18.7 mi | 20m |
| Waynesboro Highway | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| US 412 | 14.1 mi | 16m |
| Hampshire Pike | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Columbia Highway | 13 mi | 16m |
| Morrison Creek Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| Beech Creek Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 13 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 18.7 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on SR 128
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Water Street
2
Continue on TN 128
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Linden Highway
3
Turn right onto TN 228
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Morrison Creek Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto TN 228
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Beech Creek Road
5
Continue on TN 228
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Smith Branch Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto TN 13
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 13
7
Continue on TN 13
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Waynesboro Highway
8
Continue on TN 13
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 13
9
Turn right onto SR 48
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Waynesboro Highway
10
Continue on SR 48
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Park Street
11
Turn right onto US 412
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
12
Continue on US 412
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Columbia Highway
13
Continue on US 412
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampshire Pike
14
Take the exit onto US 412
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 412
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
14 mi
·
16 min
·
US 412
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
17
Merge onto I 65
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto Murfreesboro Road
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft
·
6 sec
·
Public Square
22
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. You can easily head out in the morning or afternoon without feeling rushed, as there are no mandated stops required to complete the 97.7-mile distance comfortably. However, keep in mind that the transition from the Waynesboro Highway to the interstate environment means you should stay alert for changing traffic patterns. It is a good idea to fuel up before you leave Clifton to ensure you stay within your $15 estimate and avoid needing to stop unnecessarily. Take advantage of the short drive time to enjoy a stress-free transition between these two Tennessee towns.
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 48.9 miles from Clifton, TN, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.7 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 21 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.9 miles or 1h 12m 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 49m
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 Clifton, 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 Clifton, TN
This is one driving day of about 97.7 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Clifton, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 18.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.9 miles from Clifton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 7 and 94.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
TN 228 / Beech Creek Road
At end of road, turn right onto TN 228 / Beech Creek Road
Navigation decision point
5
61.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
US 412
Take the exit onto US 412
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
75.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
75.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
94.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
$15.27 one way
$30.55 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.77 | $33.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.80 | $37.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.57 | $43.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.26 | $4.69 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.55 | $3.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.68 | $6.25 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Franklin, TN
Late night in Franklin on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph
62% chance
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
23 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 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive that transitions between local roads and faster highway segments. You will spend about 37% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of the Waynesboro Highway, US 412, and I-65. While the majority of the trip involves navigating local infrastructure, you will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 18.7 miles once you merge onto I-65. This change in road type requires you to shift from a more relaxed pace on state roads to the steady, higher-speed flow of the interstate. Overall, the experience offers a balanced variety of driving conditions that keeps the journey from feeling monotonous.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in near TN 228 / Beech Creek Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 97.7 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 7 miles (TN 228 / Beech Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 61.4 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 75.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 2h 9m. Total distance: 97.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.7 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles (TN 228 / Beech Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 61.4 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 75.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Franklin, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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