Origin
Covington, TN
Night in Covington on Saturday
Local time
11:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Covington, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 54m
Distance
201.2 mi
324 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Covington, TN
Wikimedia Commons
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 201.2-mile drive from Covington, TN to Murfreesboro, TN is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes to complete. The route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 94% of the journey utilizing major roads like I-40 and State Route 54. You can expect a fuel cost of around $31 for this trip, making it an economical option. Given its manageable length and highway-centric profile, this drive is well-suited for a straightforward day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times within the Southeast region.
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
100.6 miles from Covington, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 110.2 mi | 1h 58m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| State Route 54 | 21.7 mi | 32m |
| East Main Street | 9.7 mi | 14m |
| I 24 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Old Fort Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Golf Lane | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Liberty Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 110.2 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on West Court Square
183 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Court Square
2
Turn left onto TN 54
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Pleasant Avenue
3
Turn left onto TN 54
302 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Maple Street
4
Turn right onto TN 54
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Liberty Avenue
5
Continue on TN 54
22 mi
·
32 min
·
State Route 54
6
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
392 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Main Street
7
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi
·
14 min
·
East Main Street
8
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 66
Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
9
Merge onto I 40
110 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
11
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Use the right lane.
15
Turn straight onto SR 96
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn slight left
341 ft
·
14 sec
17
Turn left onto Golf Lane
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Golf Lane
18
Arrive at destination
Golf Lane
Trip Plan
With a duration under four hours, this drive from Covington to Murfreesboro offers plenty of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your day at your destination, or a mid-morning start if you prefer a more relaxed beginning. The longest stretch on I-40 is over 110 miles, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps utilizing one of the designated stops along this section for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $31, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments.
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 100.6 miles from Covington, TN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 44 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.6 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Covington, 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 Covington, TN
This is one driving day of about 201.2 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Covington, 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 110.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.6 miles from Covington, 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 110.2 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 198.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TN 54 / South Maple Street
Turn left onto TN 54 / South Maple Street
Navigation decision point
5
32 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Turn left toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
Navigation decision point
Exit 66
Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
5
32.1 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
195.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
198.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.46 one way
$62.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.54 | $69.07 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.72 | $77.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.42 | $88.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.13 | $9.66 |
| Efficient EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.60 | $8.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.5 | 1 | $28.17 | $12.88 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Night in City of Murfreesboro on Saturday
Local time
11:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 54m 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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 201.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Primarily a highway-focused drive, 94% of this route is on main roads, including I-40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, with the longest uninterrupted segment covering 110.2 miles on I-40. While the majority is highway, there are transitions onto State Route 54, offering a slight variation in the driving experience. This profile suggests a journey where efficiency is key, with minimal time spent navigating slower, more complex local roads.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near TN 54 / South Maple Street.
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 201.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (TN 54 / South Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles: Navigation decision point; at 32.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Covington, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
142.3 mi in
|
~2h 46m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 201.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.2 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 City of Murfreesboro, 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 0.1 miles (TN 54 / South Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles: Navigation decision point; at 32.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Murfreesboro, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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