Spanning 193 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Hendersonville to LaFollette typically takes about 3 hours and 58 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and compact, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $29 on fuel for the journey. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the climate and general atmosphere remain consistent throughout your travel. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that connects two distinct parts of the state efficiently. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable path for your transit.
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
96.5 miles from Hendersonville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
115.5 mi
2h 4m
SR 109
13.3 mi
18m
Harriman Highway
9.6 mi
10m
Briceville Highway
9 mi
18m
Frost Bottom Road
7.2 mi
12m
US 27
6.8 mi
7m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
5.5 mi
6m
I 75
5.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 115.5 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hendersonville, TN and LaFollette, 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
115 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
17
Keep slight right at fork
335 ft·8 sec
18
Merge onto US 27
6.8 mi·7 min·US 27
19
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
20
Continue on SR 61
1.2 mi·1 min·West Tri County Boulevard
21
Turn right onto SR 330
447 ft·10 sec·Winter Gap Road
22
Turn left onto SR 330
0.2 mi·23 sec·Railroad Avenue
23
Continue on SR 330
0.1 mi·16 sec·Main Street
24
Turn left onto SR 330
0.6 mi·1 min·East Spring Street
25
Continue on SR 330
0.5 mi·1 min·Walden Avenue
26
Continue on SR 330
0.4 mi·49 sec·Dutch Valley Road
27
Turn left onto SR 330
7.2 mi·12 min·Frost Bottom Road
28
Continue on SR 116
5.2 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
29
Continue on SR 116
234 ft·6 sec·Briceville Highway
30
Continue on SR 116
3.8 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
31
At end of road, turn left onto US 25W; SR 116
1.0 mi·2 min·North Main Street
32
Take the ramp onto I 75; US 25W
5.4 mi·6 min·I 75; US 25W
Toward Louisville
33
Take the exit onto US 25W
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 25W
Toward US 25W North, TN 63 East: Caryville, Jacksboro, La Follette
34
Keep slight right at fork onto US 25W
239 ft·5 sec·US 25W
35
Merge onto US 25W; TN 63
3.7 mi·4 min·West Central Avenue
36
Continue on US 25W; SR 63
3.3 mi·5 min·Jacksboro Pike
37
Continue on US 25W; SR 63
0.3 mi·19 sec·Jackson Pike
38
Continue on US 25W; SR 63
0.9 mi·1 min·West Central Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
SR 63
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs during the nearly four-hour journey. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak traffic hours on I-40 will make your transit much more comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before transitioning from the major interstate stretches to the local highways, to ensure you stay within your $29 budget. Since the longest stretch is over 115 miles, make sure you are fueled up before hitting that segment of the interstate. Use the day-trip nature of this route to your advantage by packing light and focusing on a direct, efficient arrival in LaFollette.
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 96.5 miles from Hendersonville, TN, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.5 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 42 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.5 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near LaFollette, 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 193 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 115.5 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 142.4 — 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
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.
5
142.2 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
5
142.4 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.17 one way
$60.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.13
$66.26
premium
$4.89
$37.14
$74.28
diesel
$5.61
$42.61
$85.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
Efficient EV
48.3
0
$16.89
$7.72
EV Truck/SUV
77.2
0
$27.02
$12.35
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hendersonville, TN
Night
in Hendersonville on Saturday
Local time
11:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
LaFollette, TN
Late night
in LaFollette on Sunday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
97 mi in
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
28 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 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 26.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 73% of your journey is spent on highways. You will rely primarily on I-40, SR 109, and the Harriman Highway to make your way toward LaFollette. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be a 115.5-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the backbone of this excursion. While the interstate sections provide a fast, consistent pace, the transition onto local highways offers a change in rhythm as you approach your final destination. Overall, the experience is designed for steady progress rather than winding, technical driving.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and SR 109. 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 Effort9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 193 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 26.7 miles (I 40): 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.
Between Hendersonville, TN and LaFollette, TN, road signs point toward Lebanon, Rockwood and Louisville.
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 3h 58m. Total distance: 193 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.5 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 LaFollette, 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 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 26.7 miles (I 40): 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at LaFollette, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
