Origin
Dickson, TN
Night in Dickson on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dickson, TN to Franklin, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
47m
Distance
37 mi
60 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dickson, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Dickson and Franklin, Tennessee, this 37-mile drive is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 47 minutes. Since the entire trip is easily manageable in a single day, you will not need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel, making this a very budget-friendly transit across the Southeast region. You will primarily utilize a combination of I-40, Fairview Boulevard, and State Highway 96 to complete the connection. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this route offers a practical, efficient path between these two Tennessee locales.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 96 | 11.8 mi | 14m |
| I 40 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| Fairview Boulevard | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Highway 96 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| SR 46 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| West College Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bridge Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 96
— 11.8 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dickson, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on US 70 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West College Street
2
Turn right onto SR 46
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 46
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 40
9.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto TN 96
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 96
7
Merge onto SR 96; SR 100
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Fairview Boulevard
8
Take the exit
292 ft
·
8 sec
9
Turn right onto TN 96
12 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 96
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on Bridge Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bridge Street
11
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
174 ft
·
2 sec
·
Public Square
13
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.5 miles from Dickson, 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 36.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
SR 46
Turn right onto SR 46
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
5.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
14.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
5
24.9 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
TN 96 / State Highway 96
Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
36.9 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.78 one way
$11.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.35 | $12.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.12 | $14.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.17 | $16.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| Efficient EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.24 | $1.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Night in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
47m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This 37-mile trek is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of your time spent on major roads. You will experience a blend of interstate travel and state highway cruising as you transition between Dickson and Franklin. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 11.8-mile segment along State Highway 96, which allows for consistent pacing. Because the vast majority of the route is highway-based, you can anticipate a steady and predictable driving experience. It serves as a functional link that favors speed and efficiency over winding local backroads.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11.8 mi on State Highway 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 96 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near SR 46.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 37 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 47m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 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.
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 Dickson, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.
Primary Sr 96: Fairview
14.7 mi in
|
~18m
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 47m. Total distance: 37 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 11.8 miles on State Highway 96. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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