If you are looking to travel from Lebanon to Franklin, TN, expect a 163.1-mile journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes to complete. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, as it covers a significant distance through the Southeast region while remaining manageable for a dedicated driver. You should budget about $25 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, the drive offers a more grounded, hands-on experience. It is a straightforward trip for those who prefer avoiding heavy highway traffic in favor of a more direct, localized connection between these two cities.
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
78.5 miles from Lebanon, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
111.9 mi
2h 6m
Murfreesboro Road
12.8 mi
19m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10.3 mi
10m
US 11
10.1 mi
13m
South Lee Highway
3.6 mi
6m
Pine Hill Road
2.7 mi
8m
Rakestraw Road
1.2 mi
4m
Tunnel Hill Road
0.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 111.9 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on Tunnel Hill Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Tunnel Hill Road
2
Keep slight left at fork onto Candies Creek Road Southwest
0.3 mi·58 sec·Candies Creek Road Southwest
3
Continue on Candies Creek Road Southwest
0.4 mi·1 min·Candies Creek Road Southwest
4
Turn right onto Rakestraw Road
1.2 mi·4 min·Rakestraw Road
5
Turn right onto Old Alabama Road Southwest
0.1 mi·23 sec·Old Alabama Road Southwest
6
Turn left onto Pine Hill Road
2.7 mi·8 min·Pine Hill Road
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; US 64
3.6 mi·6 min·South Lee Highway
8
Take the ramp onto US 11; US 64
10 mi·13 min·US 11; US 64
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 24
112 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 840
10 mi·10 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·46 sec
Exit 42Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, LewisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
0.5 mi·57 sec·Horton Highway
15
Turn left onto SR 96
13 mi·19 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft·6 sec·Public Square
18
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Planning for this 163.1-mile trek requires acknowledging the technical nature of local roads, so be prepared for a drive that requires more focus than a standard freeway cruise. Since the route involves just one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch and refuel before finishing the remaining miles. Departing early in the day is your best bet to ensure you navigate the turn-heavy sections during daylight hours when visibility is highest. Given the reliance on Candies Creek Road Southwest and similar local paths, keep a close eye on your GPS to stay on track through the winding segments. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to manage your pace comfortably within the 2-hour and 48-minute timeframe.
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 78.5 miles from Lebanon, TN, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 35 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.5 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, TN
This is one driving day of about 157 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Lebanon, 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 24 for about 111.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.1 and 143.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.1 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
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.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
131.7 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
5
132.5 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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.
8
142.8 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
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 42
Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
5
143.8 mi into trip|~3h in|SR 96 / Murfreesboro Road
Turn left onto SR 96 / Murfreesboro Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.55 one way
$49.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.95
$53.90
premium
$4.89
$30.21
$60.43
diesel
$5.61
$34.66
$69.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.1
0
$16.49
$7.54
Efficient EV
39.3
0
$13.74
$6.28
EV Truck/SUV
62.8
0
$21.98
$10.05
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Lebanon, TN
Morning
in Lebanon on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, TN
Morning
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
9:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 20m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 129.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Forget the monotony of the interstate; this route is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. With 0% of the trip spent on highways, you will navigate via Candies Creek Road Southwest, Rakestraw Road, and Old Alabama Road Southwest for the duration of your travel. The road’s personality is defined by its winding local nature, moving away from the typical fast-paced highway experience. You will find yourself constantly adjusting to the rhythm of these secondary roads, which keep the experience engaging and technical from start to finish. Expect a steady, active drive rather than a passive cruise.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.9 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Murfreesboro Road. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 157 miles you will encounter 14 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 19.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.5 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.
Between Lebanon, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Lewisburg.
Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville.
There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 157 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m 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 111.9 miles on I 24. 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 Franklin, 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 19.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.5 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
