Origin
Lakeland, TN
Night in Lakeland on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakeland, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 57m
Distance
215.3 mi
347 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 45m
★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeland, TN
Wikimedia Commons
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Lakeland, TN to Murfreesboro, TN is 215.3 miles and takes about 3h 57m via Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway and I-24, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. Traveling within the Southeast region, this drive offers a blend of local roads and interstate travel, making it a manageable one-day trip. Expect a route with frequent turns, so staying alert is key. This drive is best suited for those who prefer a less monotonous journey, with opportunities to experience different road types.
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
107.7 miles from Lakeland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway | 155.7 mi | 2h 47m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| I 24 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Old Fort Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Canada Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Golf Lane | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Leeward Slopes Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 155.7 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on Leeward Slopes Lane
229 ft
·
15 sec
·
Leeward Slopes Lane
2
At end of road, turn left onto Canada Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Canada Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
156 mi
·
2 hr 47 min
·
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
6
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Use the right lane.
10
Turn straight onto SR 96
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn slight left
341 ft
·
14 sec
12
Turn left onto Golf Lane
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Golf Lane
13
Arrive at destination
Golf Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 57m estimated duration, this trip is easily achievable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps about halfway through your journey, to break up the drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, monitoring your fuel gauge will be straightforward. The "turn-heavy local drive" character means paying close attention to navigation is crucial; consider setting up your GPS before you depart Lakeland to ensure smooth transitions between roads.
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 107.7 miles from Lakeland, TN, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.7 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 47 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.7 miles or 1h 56m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakeland, 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 Lakeland, TN
This is one driving day of about 215.3 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Lakeland, 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 Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway for about 155.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.7 miles from Lakeland, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 155.7 miles.
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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 213.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
156.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
5
157.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
209.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
213.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.66 one way
$67.32 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.96 | $73.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.43 | $82.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.54 | $95.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.61 | $10.33 |
| Efficient EV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.84 | $8.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.1 | 1 | $30.14 | $13.78 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Night in City of Murfreesboro on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph
10% chance
Live 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
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
3h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 215.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, with only 26% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant portion of your drive on local roads, interspersed with stretches of faster travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 155.7 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. This suggests a journey that requires more active navigation and potentially slower speeds for extended periods, rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. Be prepared for a more dynamic driving experience as the road conditions and speed limits change.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 155.7 mi on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 215.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.8 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.2 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): 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.
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 Lakeland, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
156.5 mi in
|
~2h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 215.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 155.7 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. 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 City of 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 0.8 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.2 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): 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 City of Murfreesboro, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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