Origin
Dayton, TN
Late night in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dayton, 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
3h 2m
Distance
142.8 mi
230 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dayton, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Dayton to Nashville covers a total distance of 156.8 miles, typically taking about 2 hours and 36 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Southeast region of Tennessee, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to complete the trek. Navigating via Market Street, 3rd Avenue, and Highway 8, you will find this route avoids major interstates entirely. It is a practical choice if you prefer local roads over high-speed traffic, though you should be prepared for a hands-on driving experience.
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
71.4 miles from Dayton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 27.8 mi | 30m |
| US 27 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
| John Bragg Highway | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| TN 8 | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| Harrison Ferry Road | 12.3 mi | 17m |
| SR 111 | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Nashville Highway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| McMinnville Highway | 8.1 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 27.8 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue
156 ft
·
10 sec
·
2nd Avenue
2
Turn right onto SR 378
343 ft
·
13 sec
·
Market Street
3
Turn right onto SR 30
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
3rd Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 27
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US 27
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto TN 111
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
TN 111
7
Continue on SR 111
11 mi
·
13 min
·
SR 111
8
Continue on TN 8; TN 111
13 mi
·
17 min
·
TN 8; TN 111
9
Turn left onto TN 8
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 8
10
Continue on TN 8
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Harrison Ferry Road
11
Turn slight right onto SR 56
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Beersheba Highway
12
Continue on SR 56
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Colville Street
13
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Chancery Street
14
Turn left onto SR 380
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Morford Street
15
Continue on SR 380
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
16
Continue on US 70S
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Nashville Highway
17
Continue on US 70S
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
McMinnville Highway
18
Continue on US 70S; SR 53
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
19
Continue on US 70S
16 mi
·
18 min
·
John Bragg Highway
20
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
South Rutherford Boulevard
21
Turn left onto US 231
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Church Street
Use the left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
Use the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 24
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward I 440 West: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
25
Continue on I 440
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
26
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.
27
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
363 ft
·
6 sec
·
Nolensville Pike
Use the left / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 31A; US 41A
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue South
29
Continue on US 31A; US 41A
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Ensley Boulevard
30
Turn left onto US 31A; US 41A
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Turn slight left onto US 31A; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lafayette Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
32
Enter roundabout onto US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
169 ft
·
2 sec
·
8th Avenue South
33
Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
8th Avenue South
34
Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 431
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Rosa L Parks Boulevard
35
Turn right onto Rosa L Parks Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Rosa L Parks Avenue
Use the straight lane.
36
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
411 ft
·
15 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Turn left onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip is a manageable 2 hours and 36 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your trip efficient and comfortable. Given the technical nature of the turn-heavy roads, avoid rushing through the segments on Highway 8 to ensure a smoother ride. Keep your $23 fuel budget in mind, and try to fill up before you leave Dayton to avoid hunting for stations while navigating local turns. Use the lack of interstate travel to your advantage by taking your time through the various local intersections along the way.
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 71.4 miles from Dayton, TN, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.8 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 31 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.4 miles or 1h 32m 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 29m
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 Dayton, 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 Dayton, TN
This is one driving day of about 142.8 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Dayton, 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 27.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from Dayton, 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 108.9 and 142.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
108.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
7
137.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
8
138.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m 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
7
139 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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.
7
142.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
$22.33 one way
$44.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.51 | $49.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.48 | $54.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.53 | $63.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.99 | $6.85 |
| Efficient EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.50 | $5.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.1 | 0 | $19.99 | $9.14 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Nashville, TN
Late night in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
McMinnville, TN
71 mi in
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
30 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
3h 2m 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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 113.3
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 turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating local thoroughfares, where the longest uninterrupted stretch on Market Street is 0 miles. Because the path relies on Highway 8 and local streets, you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions. This setup creates a more engaged experience behind the wheel, requiring your full attention compared to a standard highway haul. It is a steady, rhythmic drive that keeps you moving through the Tennessee landscape at a local pace.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.8 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 108.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 142.8 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 108.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 142.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.8 miles on I 24. 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 Nashville, 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 108.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Nashville, TN
More trips to Nashville, TN
Explore more options from Dayton, TN or browse trips ending in Nashville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.