Trip from Collegedale, 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 59m

Distance

150.9 mi

243 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 48m ★

6 AM

2h 59m

8 AM

3h 22m

10 AM

3h 7m

12 PM

3h 5m

3 PM

3h 8m

5 PM

3h 21m

8 PM

2h 53m

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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Collegedale, TN

Davide Comunian

capital and largest city of Tennessee, United States

Nashville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 151.7-mile journey from Collegedale, TN, to Nashville, TN, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. You'll navigate primarily local roads, including Apison Pike and Volkswagen Drive, before merging onto I-24 West for a portion of the drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, this route offers a straightforward transition between two points within the Southeast region. The profile indicates a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting you should be prepared for frequent directional changes rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. This makes it a good candidate for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop.

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

75.5 miles from Collegedale, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 24	133.2 mi	2h 29m
I 75	6.9 mi	9m
Apison Pike	3.8 mi	6m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway	0.9 mi	<1m
4th Avenue South	0.9 mi	1m
2nd Avenue South	0.9 mi	1m
Lafayette Street	0.7 mi	1m
8th Avenue South	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 24 — 133.2 mi, about 2h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Collegedale, TN and Nashville, TN.

Start on Colcord Drive

70 ft · 7 sec · Colcord Drive

Turn left onto SR 317

0.8 mi · 1 min · Apison Pike

At end of road, turn left onto SR 317

3.0 mi · 5 min · Apison Pike

Continue on SR 317

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Volkswagen Drive

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Merge onto I 75; US 11; US 64; SR 317

6.9 mi · 9 min · I 75; US 11; US 64; SR 317

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 24

133 mi · 2 hr 29 min · I 24

Toward Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 53 Toward I 440 West: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 440

0.9 mi · 59 sec · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Exit 6 Toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville Pike Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A

363 ft · 6 sec · Nolensville Pike

Use the left / right lanes.

Continue on US 31A; US 41A

0.9 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue South

Continue on US 31A; US 41A

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Ensley Boulevard

Turn left onto US 31A; US 41A

0.9 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn slight left onto US 31A; US 41; US 41A; US 70S

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lafayette Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Enter roundabout onto US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S

169 ft · 2 sec · 8th Avenue South

Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S

0.3 mi · 40 sec · 8th Avenue South

Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 431

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Rosa L Parks Boulevard

Turn right onto Rosa L Parks Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Rosa L Parks Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard

411 ft · 15 sec · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto 7th Avenue North

0.2 mi · 1 min · 7th Avenue North

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short distance and duration of 2 hours and 24 minutes, this trip from Collegedale to Nashville is best suited for a single day. You have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though an early morning start can help you avoid potential local traffic congestion. Since the route is turn-heavy and involves local roads, keep your navigation system active and be mindful of posted speed limits. With a fuel cost around $23, you likely won't need to worry extensively about refueling, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay close attention to road signage as you transition between Apison Pike, Volkswagen Drive, and I-24 West.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 75.5 miles from Collegedale, TN, or about 1h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.2 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 33 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 24m

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 Collegedale, 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 Collegedale, TN

This is one driving day of about 150.9 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Collegedale, 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 24 for about 133.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Monteagle, TN

75 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

Chattanooga, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Monteagle, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.5 miles from Collegedale, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.2 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

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, TN

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 150.9

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16158407933

Visit website

Germantown Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

0.7 mi

Listening Room Cafe - Nashville

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Loading Dock Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.9

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16156518154

Visit website

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 150.9

Nashville, TN

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16158407933

Visit website

Germantown Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 150.9

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16152423226

Visit website

Listening Room Cafe - Nashville

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 150.9

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16152593600

Visit website

Fattoush Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.9

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16153211667

Visit website

Midtown Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 150.9

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+16153207176

Visit website

Sky Blue Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.9

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+16157707097

Visit website

Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.9

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16159286576

Visit website

Americano Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.9

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16292036991

Visit website

The Loading Dock Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.9

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16156518154

Visit website

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 21.6

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14237604333

Visit website

Renaissance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 21.6

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14236436096

Fiery Gizzard State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 64.7

Monteagle, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+18888672757

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 11.3 and 150.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

11.3 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

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. Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

145.2 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in

Take the exit toward I 440 West: Memphis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 53 Toward I 440 West: Memphis

146.8 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Take the exit toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville Pike

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 6 Toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville Pike

147.1 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | US 31A; US 41A / Nolensville Pike

Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A / Nolensville Pike

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.

150.6 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard

Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.59 one way

$47.18 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$25.90	$51.81
premium	$4.89	$29.04	$58.08
diesel	$5.61	$33.32	$66.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	45.3	$15.84	$7.24
Efficient EV	37.7	$13.20	$6.04
EV Truck/SUV	60.4	$21.13	$9.66

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Collegedale, TN

Late night in Collegedale on Sunday

Local time

12:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Nashville, TN

Night in Nashville on Saturday

Local time

11:25 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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

5 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 59m 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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 119.7

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 driving experience characterized by frequent turns, as indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile. While the route includes some time on I-24 West, the highway share is 0%, meaning you won't encounter sustained high-speed interstate travel. This suggests a drive that predominantly uses local roads, requiring your attention for navigation and speed adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the overall profile implies a journey broken up by numerous intersections and changes in direction, rather than long, monotonous highway cruising. The drive will likely feel more engaged and less like a typical interstate haul.

93% 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: 133.2 mi on I 24.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 75. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 miles in.

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 150.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from Collegedale, TN to Nashville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Chattanooga along the way.

Chattanooga

12 mi in | ~18m | via I 24

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 150.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 133.2 miles on I 24. 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.

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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Explore more options from Collegedale, TN or browse trips ending in Nashville, TN.

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Trip from Collegedale, TN to Nashville, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

The Loading Dock Cafe

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

Germantown Café

Listening Room Cafe - Nashville

Fattoush Cafe

Midtown Cafe

Sky Blue Cafe

Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe

Americano Lounge

The Loading Dock Cafe

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

Renaissance Park

Fiery Gizzard State Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Collegedale, TN

Nashville, TN

1 hour earlier

5 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 59m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Stones River National Battlefield

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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