Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 9m
Distance
210.5 mi
339 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Brighton, TN
Kelly
Murfreesboro, TN to Brighton, TN is 210.5 miles and takes about 4 hours 9 minutes via I 40, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a good option for a single-day journey. If you're looking for a relatively quick transit between these two points with minimal fuss, this route should fit the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.2 miles from Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 109.8 mi | 1h 57m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 53.7 mi | 58m |
| West Main Street | 22 mi | 33m |
| East Main Street | 9.5 mi | 14m |
| US 51 | 6.6 mi | 10m |
| I 24 | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Old Fort Parkway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Old Highway 51 South | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and Brighton, TN.
Start on South Spring Street
Turn left onto East Main Street
Turn right onto North Church Street
Turn slight left onto North Public Square
Turn slight right onto West Main Street
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
Turn left
Turn straight onto SR 96
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 24
Take the exit
Merge onto I 840
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 70
Enter roundabout onto TN 54
Continue on TN 54
Continue on TN 54
Turn left onto US 51; TN 59
Take the exit
Continue on Old Highway 51 South
Turn sharp left onto East Kenwood Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour duration, starting your drive in Murfreesboro in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Brighton before evening. With only one recommended stop and a highway-dominant profile, you can be flexible with when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 109.8-mile stretch on I 40, as services can be spaced out. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations.
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.
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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.2 miles or 1h 57m 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 Brighton, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, TN
This is one driving day of about 210.5 miles and 4h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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.
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 105.2 miles from Murfreesboro, 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 109.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 170.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$32.91 one way
$65.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.13 | $72.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.51 | $81.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.48 | $92.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.10 | $10.10 |
| Efficient EV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Murfreesboro on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Night in Brighton on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 83% of the journey on major roads like I 40. You'll experience a significant stretch of 109.8 miles on I 40 without interruption, offering a consistent pace. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, the inclusion of Tennessee National Guard Parkway and West Main Street indicates some transition to more local thoroughfares as you approach your destination. Expect mostly consistent speeds, with potential for slower travel during urban approaches.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
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 210.5 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Murfreesboro, TN to Brighton, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Ripley along the way.
Ripley
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 210.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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