Origin
Dresden, TN
Morning in Dresden on Sunday
Local time
10:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dresden, 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 21m
Distance
171.1 mi
275 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 9m
★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dresden, TN
Niklas Jeromin
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 171.1-mile drive from Dresden, TN to Murfreesboro, TN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes. You'll primarily use I-40, with portions of Tennessee National Guard Parkway and State Highway 22 contributing to the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $27, making it an economical option. Given its highway-focused profile, this is a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of Tennessee. It’s a practical choice if you’re looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
85.6 miles from Dresden, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 68 mi | 1h 12m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| State Highway 22 | 25.1 mi | 32m |
| TN 22 | 12 mi | 16m |
| I 24 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| SR 22 Bypass | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Lexington Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Old Fort Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 68 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dresden, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on South Wilson Street
89 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Wilson Street
2
Turn left onto TN 54; TN 89
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn left onto TN 54; TN 89
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pikeview Street
4
Turn straight onto TN 54
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Morrow Avenue
5
Turn left onto TN 22
25 mi
·
32 min
·
State Highway 22
6
Continue on SR 22 Business
390 ft
·
9 sec
·
SR 22 Business
7
Turn right onto US 70A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Veterans Drive North
8
Turn left onto SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
SR 22 Bypass
9
Turn right onto Lexington Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Lexington Street
10
Turn right onto TN 22
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
TN 22
11
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Lexington Clarksburg Road
12
Continue on TN 22
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 22
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
14
Merge onto I 40
68 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 40
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
16
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Use the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto SR 96
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn slight left
341 ft
·
14 sec
22
Turn left onto Golf Lane
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Golf Lane
23
Arrive at destination
Golf Lane
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 21-minute journey, departing in the morning will allow you to arrive with ample time to settle in. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 68-mile stretch on I-40, as services might be less frequent. The relatively short distance means you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule, but planning for a mid-day arrival is generally ideal. Consider packing snacks and drinks to minimize the need for unplanned stops.
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 85.6 miles from Dresden, TN, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 44m 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 44m
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 Dresden, 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 Dresden, TN
This is one driving day of about 171.1 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Dresden, 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 68 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.6 miles from Dresden, 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 68 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 44 and 168.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
44 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexing...
5
112.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
5
112.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
165.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
168.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m 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
$26.75 one way
$53.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.37 | $58.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.93 | $65.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.78 | $75.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.3 | 0 | $17.97 | $8.21 |
| Efficient EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.97 | $6.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.4 | 0 | $23.95 | $10.95 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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
Morning in City of Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
10:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
SSW 15 mph
3% 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
32 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
3h 21m 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.
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 171.1
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 predominantly highway-focused experience, with 96% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 68 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your trip. While mostly interstate, the inclusion of Tennessee National Guard Parkway and State Highway 22 adds some variety, though the overall feel remains geared towards efficient travel. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination smoothly over extensive scenic detours.
96% 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: 68 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 44 miles in.
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 171.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 44 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): 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.
Between Dresden, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon and Franklin.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad
44 mi in
|
~1h
Lexington
44 mi in
|
~1h
Huntingdon
44 mi in
|
~1h
Franklin
112.2 mi in
|
~2h 13m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 171.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68 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 44 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 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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