Franklin, TN to Midway, TN is 291.6 miles and takes about 5h 29m via I 40 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the same region. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. With a recommended one-day duration and a relatively short drive time, it’s a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points in Tennessee. Plan for a mostly highway experience with a clear destination in mind.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.8 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
208 mi
3h 47m
West Andrew Johnson Highway
35 mi
42m
I 81
22.7 mi
24m
I 65
14.1 mi
15m
Murfreesboro Road
2.4 mi
3m
West Main Street
2.3 mi
3m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2 mi
2m
West Walnut Street (Old Jonesboro Hwy)
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 208 mi, about 3h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Midway, 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
171 mi·3 hr 6 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
23 mi·24 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward US 11E: Mosheim, Greeneville, Bulls Gap
17
Turn right onto US 11E
35 mi·42 min·West Andrew Johnson Highway
18
Continue on US 11E; US 321
0.7 mi·1 min·West Jackson Boulevard
19
Turn right onto Washington Drive
0.2 mi·47 sec·Washington Drive
20
At end of road, turn left onto West Main Street
2.3 mi·3 min·West Main Street
21
Continue on West Walnut Street (Old Jonesboro Hwy)
1.1 mi·2 min·West Walnut Street (Old Jonesboro Hwy)
22
Turn left onto McKinley Road
67 ft·1 sec·McKinley Road
23
Arrive at destination
McKinley Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 29m estimated drive time, leaving Franklin, TN in the morning should allow you to reach Midway, TN with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is mostly highway, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially during the 208-mile stretch on I 40. While only one stop is indicated, consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Midway, TN, as services might become less frequent on the final leg of West Andrew Johnson Highway.
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 145.8 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.8 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midway, 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.
+
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 Franklin, TN
This is one driving day of about 291.6 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Franklin, 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 208 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 17
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
$48.64 one way
$97.28 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$52.87
$105.73
premium
$5.26
$60.37
$120.75
diesel
$6.18
$70.94
$141.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.5
1
$30.62
$14.00
Efficient EV
72.9
0
$25.52
$11.66
EV Truck/SUV
116.6
1
$40.82
$18.66
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Franklin, TN
Evening
in Franklin on Monday
Local time
7:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Midway, TN
Evening
in Midway on Monday
Local time
8:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
27 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
5h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 40.2
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 221.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 85% of this 291.6-mile drive on highways, primarily I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 208 miles on I 40, indicating a significant portion of uninterrupted driving. Once you transition to West Andrew Johnson Highway, expect a change from interstate cruising to surface road driving. This shift means you'll likely notice more frequent exits and potentially a different pace of traffic as you approach your destination.
85% 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: 208 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and West Andrew Johnson Highway. 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
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 291.6 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,874 ft505 ft
Total Climb
2,330 ft
Total Descent
1,100 ft
Highest Point
1,874 ft
~291.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,369 ft
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 Midway, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga, Greeneville and Bulls Gap.
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.
Top landmarks
•Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 — masonic temple in Franklin, United States of America
•Carter House — Tennessee state-owned historic site
•Toussaint L'Overture County Cemetery — historic cemetery in Tennessee, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 291.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 208 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Midway, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Midway, TN before the return drive.
