Jonesborough to Murfreesboro is 272.9 miles and takes about 5h 6m via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Given that 84% of this route is on major highways, expect a fairly direct trip. It's a single-day drive, so you can depart at your leisure, but plan for about five hours of wheel time. Consider this a straightforward transit between two points in the state.
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
136.5 miles from Jonesborough, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.5 mi
3h 22m
Andrew Johnson Highway
35.2 mi
42m
I 81
22.7 mi
24m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
21 mi
22m
Northwest Broad Street
3.7 mi
5m
West Jackson Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
New Nashville Highway
0.8 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jonesborough, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on North Cherokee Street
435 ft·16 sec·North Cherokee Street
2
Turn left onto West College Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·West College Street
3
Turn right onto North 2nd Avenue
509 ft·22 sec·North 2nd Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 11E; US 321
0.8 mi·1 min·West Jackson Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on US 11E; US 321
35 mi·42 min·Andrew Johnson Highway
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
7
Merge onto I 81
22 mi·23 min·I 81
8
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
9
Merge onto I 40
53 mi·59 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
133 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 235Toward I 840 West: Memphis, MurfreesboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 840
21 mi·22 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 55A-BToward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, SmyrnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 55AToward US 41 South, US 70S East: MurfreesbordUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
16
Turn straight onto US 41; US 70S
0.8 mi·1 min·New Nashville Highway
17
Continue on US 41; US 70S
3.7 mi·5 min·Northwest Broad Street
18
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Main Street
19
Turn right onto South Maple Street
138 ft·4 sec·South Maple Street
20
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
467 ft·12 sec·South Public Square
21
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
47 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
22
Continue on East Main Street
347 ft·13 sec·East Main Street
23
Turn right onto South Spring Street
84 ft·3 sec·South Spring Street
24
Arrive at destination
South Spring Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over 5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to leave in the morning to take advantage of the full daylight hours and avoid any potential rush hour congestion, especially as you get closer to Murfreesboro. The longest stretch without a major break is 185.5 miles on I-40, so plan a fuel and rest stop before you hit that point. Given the manageable distance, you have flexibility in your departure time and can make spontaneous stops if needed.
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 136.5 miles from Jonesborough, TN, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 60 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.5 miles or 2h 35m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jonesborough, 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 Jonesborough, TN
This is one driving day of about 272.9 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Jonesborough, 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 185.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Hours: 6 AM–10 PM
+16159001755
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 267.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|North 2nd Avenue
Turn right onto North 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
8
244.9 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 235
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
8
267 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 55A-B
Toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
9
267.2 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.30 one way
$80.60 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.49
$88.98
premium
$4.72
$50.67
$101.34
diesel
$4.80
$51.53
$103.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.9
1
$28.65
$13.10
Efficient EV
68.2
0
$23.88
$10.92
EV Truck/SUV
109.2
1
$38.21
$17.47
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Jonesborough, TN
Late night
in Jonesborough on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Murfreesboro, TN
Late night
in Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
1:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph24% 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 6m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 272.9
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 75.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 84% of the 272.9 miles on major interstates like I-40 and I-81. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I-40, covering 185.5 miles. Expect a good amount of highway cruising before transitioning to Andrew Johnson Highway for a portion of the drive. The density of exits and traffic will likely increase as you approach larger towns and cities along the way.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Andrew Johnson Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near North 2nd Avenue.
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 14 significant decision points across 272.9 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 0.3 miles (North 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 112.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,021 ft524 ft
Total Climb
1,470 ft
Total Descent
2,548 ft
Highest Point
2,021 ft
~175.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,497 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Jonesborough, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Murfreesboro is a city in the Nashville metropolitan area of Middle Tennessee. It is the largest suburb of Nashville and the sixth largest city in Tennessee. Since the 1990s, Murfreesboro has been Tennessee's fastest growing major city and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Murfreesboro is home to Middle Tennessee State University, the second largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, with almost 23,000 students in 2014.
Top landmarks
•Fortress Rosecrans — fort in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
•Marymont — historic mansion in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 272.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.5 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 Murfreesboro, 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 0.3 miles (North 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 112.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.1 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 Murfreesboro, TN before the return drive.
