If you are planning a trip from Franklin to Baxter, you are looking at an 88.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated logistics. You will navigate through the Southeast region using a combination of local routes, including 3rd Avenue South, Murfreesboro Road, and I-440. Expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trip. Since the drive is relatively short and direct, it offers a straightforward travel experience that fits easily into a weekend schedule or a quick weekday getaway.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
62.6 mi
1h 7m
I 65
14.1 mi
15m
Old Baxter Road
4.4 mi
7m
Murfreesboro Road
2.4 mi
3m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2 mi
2m
3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi
<1m
I 24
0.3 mi
<1m
Public Square
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 62.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Baxter, TN.
1
Start on US 31 Business; TN 96
418 ft·7 sec·Public Square
2
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on SR 96
2.4 mi·3 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 80Toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 440
2.0 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 24 West: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 24
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 24
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 52BToward I 40 East: KnoxvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
492 ft·12 sec
Toward Old Baxter Road
15
Turn left onto SR 141
4.4 mi·7 min·Old Baxter Road
16
Arrive at destination
SR 141
Trip Plan
Because this is a compact 1 hour and 41-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily head out in the morning or afternoon without feeling rushed, as there are no mandated stops required to complete the 88.4-mile distance. Keep in mind that since you are relying on local roads like 3rd Avenue South and Murfreesboro Road, traffic patterns can shift, so check your navigation app before heading out to account for any local congestion. Since you are only budgeting $13 for gas, fueling up before you leave Franklin is a smart way to ensure a seamless trip. Use the lack of a longest stretch as an opportunity to plan your own breaks whenever you feel like pulling over.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.2 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.6 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baxter, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franklin, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Franklin, TN
This is one driving day of about 88.4 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Franklin, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 62.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 21 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
17.5 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
8
19.9 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville
8
20.4 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxvil...
8
21 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52B
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.82 one way
$27.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.17
$30.35
premium
$4.89
$17.01
$34.02
diesel
$5.61
$19.52
$39.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.28
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
EV Truck/SUV
35.4
0
$12.38
$5.66
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Franklin, TN
Late night
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Baxter, TN
Late night
in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
8 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
1h 41m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Because this route has a 0% highway share, your time behind the wheel will be spent navigating local roads and surface streets. You will transition away from the urban flow of Franklin, requiring a bit more focus than a typical high-speed highway trek. The journey maintains a consistent pace as you wind through the local landscape, keeping you engaged with the road ahead. Because this route relies entirely on local navigation, be prepared for a drive that demands your full attention on the turns rather than just cruising on autopilot.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Franklin, TN and Baxter, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 88.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.6 miles on I 40. 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 Baxter, 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Baxter, TN before heading back.
