Origin
Lafayette, TN
Night in Lafayette on Saturday
Local time
11:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lafayette, TN to Nashville, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
68.3 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lafayette, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lafayette, TN to Nashville, TN is 68.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 22 minutes via I 40 and Nashville Highway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Most of the journey utilizes Interstate 40, making it a quick and efficient trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two locations without much fuss. Consider this route for a no-frills commute or a brief transfer between towns.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 56.9 mi | 1h 1m |
| Nashville Highway | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| SR 96 | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Downtown Loop | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| I 24 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 7th Avenue North | 0.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 56.9 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on US 70N; SR 96
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Nashville Highway
2
Turn left onto SR 96
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 96
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
55 mi
·
58 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Use the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
13
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Lafayette, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 63.2 and 67.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
63.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
8
66.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
6
67.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
67.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.68 one way
$21.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.72 | $23.45 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.14 | $26.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.08 | $30.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.17 | $3.28 |
| Efficient EV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.98 | $2.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.56 | $4.37 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Nashville, TN
Night in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
11:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Gordonsville, TN
34 mi in
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
3 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
1h 22m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway experience, with 90% of the drive taking place on major roads like I 40 and Nashville Highway. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 56.9 miles on I 40, allowing for steady progress. The character is largely that of a fast-paced interstate, designed for efficient travel. While the majority is highway, there's a brief transition onto Nashville Highway, offering a slight change in scenery before you reach your destination. Expect a consistent driving rhythm for most of this journey.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Nashville Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63.2 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 63.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 68.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.9 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 Nashville, 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 63.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.8 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Nashville, TN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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