Hendersonville, TN to Church Hill, TN is 265.7 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 40 and Lee Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a primarily highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B efficiently, with most of the mileage covered on faster roads.
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
132.9 miles from Hendersonville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
159.9 mi
2h 54m
Lee Highway
32.8 mi
38m
Rutledge Pike
28.5 mi
32m
Rogersville Bypass
14.1 mi
16m
SR 109
13.3 mi
18m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
5.5 mi
6m
South Water Avenue
2.1 mi
2m
Main Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 159.9 mi, about 2h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hendersonville, TN and Church Hill, TN.
1
Start on Walton Ferry Road
53 ft·4 sec·Walton Ferry Road
2
Turn right onto US 31E
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
3
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·Gallatin Road
4
Continue on US 31E
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward SR 386 North
6
Merge onto TN 386
5.5 mi·6 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on SR 665
0.9 mi·1 min·Long Hollow Pike
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward SR 109 South: Gallatin, Lebanon
9
Merge onto SR 109
2.6 mi·2 min·SR 109
10
Take the exit
291 ft·8 sec
11
Merge onto SR 109
2.1 mi·2 min·South Water Avenue
12
Continue on SR 109
7.1 mi·11 min·SR 109
13
Continue on SR 109
3.6 mi·4 min·SR 109
14
Turn left
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
15
Merge onto I 40
152 mi·2 hr 45 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
7.6 mi·9 min·I 40
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 11W: Knoxville Zoo
18
Keep slight right at fork
391 ft·9 sec
Toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean Station
19
Continue on US 11W
29 mi·32 min·Rutledge Pike
20
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
12 mi·13 min·Lee Highway
21
Merge onto US 11W; US 25E; SR 1; SR 32; ADHS S
1.7 mi·1 min·Appalachian Highway
22
Turn left onto Old US 11W
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
23
Turn left onto US 11W; SR 1
16 mi·18 min·Lee Highway
24
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
3.4 mi·3 min·Rogersville Bypass
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11W; SR 1
11 mi·12 min·Rogersville Bypass
26
Continue on US 11W
5.7 mi·6 min·Lee Highway
27
Take the exit
277 ft·9 sec
28
Continue on SR 346
0.5 mi·51 sec·Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
SR 346
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Hendersonville in the morning allows ample time to reach Church Hill before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $42, this is a manageable drive for a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 159.9-mile stretch on I 40, as services can be spaced out. It's wise to top off your tank before heading out to ensure a smooth journey without unnecessary delays.
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 132.9 miles from Hendersonville, TN, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.9 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 58 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.9 miles or 2h 32m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Church Hill, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hendersonville, 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 Hendersonville, TN
This is one driving day of about 265.7 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Hendersonville, 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 159.9 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 4.1 and 186.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~6m in|TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Merge onto TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
10.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward SR 109 South: Gallatin, Lebanon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 109 South: Gallatin, Lebanon
4
26.3 mi into trip|~36m in
Turn left toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Navigation decision point
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
5
26.7 mi into trip|~37m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
186.8 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.24 one way
$78.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.32
$86.63
premium
$4.72
$49.33
$98.66
diesel
$4.80
$50.17
$100.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.90
$12.75
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.25
$10.63
EV Truck/SUV
106.3
1
$37.20
$17.00
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hendersonville, TN
Late night
in Hendersonville on Sunday
Local time
12:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Church Hill, TN
Late night
in Church Hill on Sunday
Local time
1:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph29% 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
2 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
5h 5m 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 27.5
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 219.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely characterized by its highway focus, with 65% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll experience a substantial 159.9-mile stretch on I 40, offering consistent speed and ease of travel. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Lee Highway and Rutledge Pike means you'll transition to more local road conditions at times. This mix provides a highway-focused experience with brief diversions onto roads that may have more varied speed limits and traffic.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 159.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Lee Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 265.7 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 4.1 miles (TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,877 ft456 ft
Total Climb
2,040 ft
Total Descent
1,303 ft
Highest Point
1,877 ft
~94.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,421 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hendersonville, TN and Church Hill, TN, road signs point toward Blaine, Rutledge and Bean Station.
Blaine
186.8 mi in|~3h 32m
Rutledge
186.8 mi in|~3h 32m
Bean Station
186.8 mi in|~3h 32m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Hendersonville is a city in Sumner County of the American state of Tennessee. It is a well-known suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, and has been the home of many country music stars, including Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 265.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 159.9 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Church Hill, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.1 miles (TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Church Hill, TN before the return drive.
