Origin
McKenzie, TN
Morning in McKenzie on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McKenzie, 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
2h 29m
Distance
128 mi
206 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McKenzie, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from McKenzie to Nashville covers 128.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Because this trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $19 on fuel for the journey. Both cities are located within the Southeast region, ensuring a consistent travel experience as you navigate between them. This route stays entirely on local roads, avoiding the interstate system, which offers a different pace than typical highway travel. It is a straightforward trip that provides a practical way to connect these two Tennessee locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64 miles from McKenzie, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 99.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| TN 22 | 18.5 mi | 24m |
| SR 22 Bypass | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Lexington Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Veterans Drive North | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Old McKenzie Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Cedar Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKenzie, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on this road
77 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto SR 124
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Cedar Street
3
Continue on SR 124
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Old McKenzie Road
4
Turn right onto TN 22
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 22
5
Continue on SR 22 Business
390 ft
·
9 sec
·
SR 22 Business
6
Turn right onto US 70A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Veterans Drive North
7
Turn left onto SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
SR 22 Bypass
8
Turn right onto Lexington Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Lexington Street
9
Turn right onto TN 22
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
TN 22
10
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Lexington Clarksburg Road
11
Continue on TN 22
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 22
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
13
Merge onto I 40
99 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40; I 65
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
Downtown Loop
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 209
Toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on 12th Avenue North
200 ft
·
12 sec
·
12th Avenue North
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 70
329 ft
·
7 sec
·
Charlotte Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
20
Turn left onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 6-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops required by the route, you can easily complete the trip in one go, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $19 estimated cost. Because the route consists entirely of local roads, be prepared for more frequent stops and slower speeds compared to a standard highway commute. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to account for the extra time needed when navigating the turn-heavy sections of Veterans Drive North and Old McKenzie Road. Staying alert for changing road conditions will ensure a smoother arrival in Nashville.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64 miles from McKenzie, TN, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64 miles or 1h 18m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving McKenzie, 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 McKenzie, TN
This is one driving day of about 128 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from McKenzie, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64 miles from McKenzie, 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 99.3 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 26.7 and 127.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26.7 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexing...
5
26.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
126.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
8
127 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Street
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 209
Toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Stre...
7
127.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
US 70 / Charlotte Avenue
Turn left onto US 70 / Charlotte Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.01 one way
$40.02 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.97 | $43.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.63 | $49.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.26 | $56.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.44 | $6.14 |
| Efficient EV | 32 | 0 | $11.20 | $5.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.92 | $8.19 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Morning in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 29m 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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 128
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local experience rather than a high-speed interstate grind. With 0% of the drive on highways, your journey relies on navigating Cedar Street, Old McKenzie Road, and Veterans Drive North. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Cedar Street, indicating that you will be making frequent adjustments and turns throughout the 128.4-mile trip. This profile creates a technical drive that requires your full attention behind the wheel. You won't find the monotony of long, straight stretches here, making it a more engaged and active driving experience from start to finish.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 22. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 26.7 miles in.
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 128 miles you will encounter 12 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 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
863 ft
385 ft
Total Climb
664 ft
Total Descent
601 ft
Highest Point
863 ft
~91.5 mi in
Elevation Range
479 ft
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 McKenzie, TN and Nashville, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington and Huntingdon.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad
26.7 mi in
|
~37m
Lexington
26.7 mi in
|
~37m
Huntingdon
26.7 mi in
|
~37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 128 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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