Origin
Mount Carmel, TN
Morning in Mount Carmel on Sunday
Local time
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Carmel, 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
2h 23m
Distance
110.2 mi
177 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Carmel, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 110.4 miles, this direct journey from Mount Carmel to Franklin, Tennessee, is an efficient trek across the Southeast that typically takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $16 for fuel to complete the transit. Navigating this path requires you to stay alert, as it relies on local roads rather than major interstates. It is a straightforward route for those looking to travel between these two Tennessee communities efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.1 miles from Mount Carmel, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 55.8 mi | 59m |
| US 641 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 96 | 11.8 mi | 14m |
| Mt Carmel Road | 9.1 mi | 25m |
| Fairview Boulevard | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Highway 96 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| TN 100 | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Middleburg Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 55.8 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Carmel, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on Mt Carmel Road
2.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Mt Carmel Road
2
Keep slight right at fork onto Mount Carmel Access
526 ft
·
23 sec
·
Mount Carmel Access
3
Continue on 1758
6.8 mi
·
16 min
·
Mt Carmel Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto TN 100
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
TN 100
5
Turn right onto Middleburg Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Middleburg Road
6
Turn right onto US 641
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 641
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
8
Merge onto I 40
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto TN 96
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 96
11
Merge onto SR 96; SR 100
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Fairview Boulevard
12
Take the exit
292 ft
·
8 sec
13
Turn right onto TN 96
12 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 96
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on Bridge Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bridge Street
15
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
174 ft
·
2 sec
·
Public Square
17
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Since this 2-hour and 4-minute trip involves no planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to cover the estimated $16 cost. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the short duration means you can easily depart mid-morning or afternoon without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your navigation, especially when transitioning between Mount Carmel Access and the various local roads, as the route requires frequent turns. If you are prone to fatigue, consider building in a brief pause even though the route is short, as the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can be more taxing than a standard highway drive.
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 55.1 miles from Mount Carmel, TN, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 24 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.1 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
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 Mount Carmel, 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 Mount Carmel, TN
This is one driving day of about 110.2 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Mount Carmel, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 55.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.1 miles from Mount Carmel, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 110.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
Mount Carmel Access
Keep slight right at fork onto Mount Carmel Access
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
87.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
5
98.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
TN 96 / State Highway 96
Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
110.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.23 one way
$34.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.92 | $37.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.21 | $42.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.33 | $48.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.57 | $5.29 |
| Efficient EV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.64 | $4.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.43 | $7.05 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
7% 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
10 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
2h 23m 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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 110.2
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 experience behind the wheel, as this route avoids highways entirely to focus on local roads like Mt Carmel Road and Middleburg Road. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating curves and local intersections rather than cruising at high speeds on an interstate. The journey maintains a consistent, technical feel throughout the 110.4-mile stretch. Because you are avoiding major thoroughfares, the road demands your full attention as you transition between local access points. This is a hands-on drive that rewards drivers who prefer navigating local terrain over monotonous highway lanes.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near Mount Carmel Access.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 110.2 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 2.3 miles (Mount Carmel Access): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 87.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.1 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): 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 Mount Carmel, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.
Primary Sr 96: Fairview
87.9 mi in
|
~1h 54m
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 2h 23m. Total distance: 110.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.8 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (Mount Carmel Access): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 87.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.1 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Franklin, 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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