Origin
Lenoir City, TN
Morning in Lenoir City on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lenoir City, TN to Franklin, 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 20m
Distance
179.3 mi
289 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 9m
★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lenoir City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 179.3-mile drive from Lenoir City, TN to Franklin, TN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. The majority of your journey, 97%, will be on highways, with a significant 150.3-mile stretch on I-40. Expect a fuel cost of around $28 for this route. Given its efficiency and highway focus, this trip is ideal for a straightforward drive between two points in the Southeast region without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
89.6 miles from Lenoir City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 150.3 mi | 2h 41m |
| I 65 | 14.1 mi | 15m |
| Lamar Alexander Parkway | 7.4 mi | 12m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Public Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 150.3 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lenoir City, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on US 321
7.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto I 40
150 mi
·
2 hr 41 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 53
Toward I 440 West: Memphis
6
Continue on I 440
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
this road
Exit 5
Toward 65: Huntsville
10
Merge onto I 65
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto TN 96
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft
·
6 sec
·
Public Square
15
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Lenoir City in the morning to take advantage of the full day at your destination. The longest stretch of the drive is on I-40, so plan for a single fuel stop if needed, based on the estimated $28 fuel cost. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the Nashville metropolitan area, which can impact your travel time on I-65.
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 89.6 miles from Lenoir City, TN, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.3 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.6 miles or 1h 41m 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 Lenoir City, 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 Lenoir City, TN
This is one driving day of about 179.3 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Lenoir City, 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 150.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.6 miles from Lenoir City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.3 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 7.4 and 176.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
7
158 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...
8
161.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
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 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
6
161.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
8
176.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.03 one way
$56.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.78 | $61.55 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.50 | $69.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.59 | $79.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.83 | $8.61 |
| Efficient EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.69 | $7.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.10 | $11.48 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Franklin, TN
Morning in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
6:34 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with almost the entire 179.3 miles utilizing major interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I-40 and I-65, experiencing a consistent, fast pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 150.3 miles on I-40, meaning extended periods of highway driving without significant changes in scenery or road type. While Lamar Alexander Parkway offers a brief change of pace, the overall character is one of efficient travel on well-maintained highways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 179.3 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 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 158 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Lenoir City, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.
Chattanooga
158 mi in
|
~2h 54m
Huntsville
161.3 mi in
|
~2h 59m
65: Huntsville
161.6 mi in
|
~2h 59m
About the Cities
Arriving in Franklin, TN
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 179.3 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 (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.3 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 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 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 158 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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