Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
69.3 mi
112 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Ardmore, TN
Wikimedia Commons
This 69.3-mile drive from Franklin, TN to Ardmore, TN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 17 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, it's an economical option for a day trip. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on major roads, making it a quick transit between these two Southeast region towns. Given its short duration and minimal stops recommended, this route is perfect for a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. It's designed for efficient travel, getting you from point A to point B with little fuss.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 7 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 31 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Public Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Ardmore, TN.
Start on US 31 Business; TN 96
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
Continue on SR 96
Take the exit
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 31
Continue on TN 7
Continue on TN 7
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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.
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.7 miles from Franklin, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 66.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Straight onto 3rd Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 31, 7: Ardmore, Huntsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 31
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$10.83 one way
$21.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.90 | $23.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.34 | $26.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.30 | $30.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.06 | $2.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.70 | $4.44 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Franklin on Tuesday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Ardmore on Tuesday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highly highway-focused drive, with 93% of the 69.3 miles on major routes like I-65. This means you'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, with the longest uninterrupted segment covering 63.5 miles on I-65. While primarily on the interstate, you'll also navigate local roads like Murfreesboro Road and Main Street as you enter and exit your destinations. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, allowing for steady progress throughout the 1 hour and 17 minute journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Murfreesboro Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 3rd Avenue South.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Franklin, TN to Ardmore, TN is easy. At 1h 17m with 93% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (3rd Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 69.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.
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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