Origin
Murfreesboro, TN
Late night in Murfreesboro on Wednesday
Local time
12:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Murfreesboro, TN to East Ridge, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
230.5 mi
371 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
East Ridge, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Murfreesboro to East Ridge is 230.5 miles and takes about 4h 21m via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile and single recommended day, it's a straightforward drive that should feel familiar to most drivers. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on interstates, making it a quick transit between your starting and ending points.
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
115.3 miles from Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 185.8 mi | 3h 23m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 20.9 mi | 22m |
| I 81 | 7.9 mi | 8m |
| Davy Crockett Parkway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| New Nashville Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Morelock Road | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Elgin Drive | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.8 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and East Ridge, TN.
1
Start on South Spring Street
84 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Spring Street
2
Turn left onto East Main Street
347 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Turn right onto North Church Street
115 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Church Street
4
Turn slight left onto North Public Square
393 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Public Square
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Main Street
6
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Broad Street
7
Continue on US 41; US 70S
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
New Nashville Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville
9
Merge onto I 840
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
149 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8
Toward US 25E: Morristown, White Pine
15
Turn right onto US 25E; SR 32; SR 113
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Davy Crockett Parkway
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto Morelock Road
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Morelock Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto Reeds Chapel Road
249 ft
·
10 sec
·
Reeds Chapel Road
18
Turn left onto Elgin Drive
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Elgin Drive
19
Turn left onto Rosa Circle
286 ft
·
12 sec
·
Rosa Circle
20
Arrive at destination
Rosa Circle
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, consider leaving in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the entire trip. Since the route is primarily highway and can be completed in a single day, you have flexibility with stops. There's only one recommended stop, so plan to refuel before you leave Murfreesboro or keep an eye on your gauge as you approach the 185.8-mile stretch on I-40. This will help you avoid needing to pull over unnecessarily on the interstate.
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 115.3 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.8 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 51 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.3 miles or 2h 9m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Ridge, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 230.5 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Murfreesboro, 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 185.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.3 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 185.8 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 26.6 and 221.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
26.6 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
6
176.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
213.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
221 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 25E: Morristown, White Pine
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 8
Toward US 25E: Morristown, White Pine
6
221.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
|
US 25E; SR 32; SR 113 / Davy Crockett Parkway
Turn right onto US 25E; SR 32; SR 113 / Davy Crockett Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.74 one way
$71.47 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $39.19 | $78.37 |
| premium | $4.93 | $44.72 | $89.44 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $50.81 | $101.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.20 | $11.06 |
| Efficient EV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.17 | $9.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.27 | $14.75 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
East Ridge, TN
Late night in East Ridge on Wednesday
Local time
1:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
4h 21m on the road
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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 198.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 96% of the drive taking place on interstates like I-40 and I-81. You'll experience a long stretch of 185.8 miles on I-40, so expect consistent cruising with relatively few interruptions. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip, likely in the final miles leading into East Ridge. The high percentage of highway driving suggests frequent exits and merges as you navigate the interstate system.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.6 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 17 significant decision points across 230.5 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 26.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,961 ft
511 ft
Total Climb
1,982 ft
Total Descent
1,299 ft
Highest Point
1,961 ft
~98.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,450 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.
On the drive from Murfreesboro, TN to East Ridge, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon along the way.
Lebanon
26.6 mi in
|
~32m
About the Cities
Starting in Murfreesboro, TN
Full guide →Founded 1811
Murfreesboro is a city in the Nashville metropolitan area of Middle Tennessee. It is the largest suburb of Nashville and the sixth largest city in Tennessee. Since the 1990s, Murfreesboro has been Tennessee's fastest growing major city and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Murfreesboro is home to Middle Tennessee State University, the second largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, with almost 23,000 students in 2014.
Top landmarks
- • Fortress Rosecrans — fort in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- • Marymont — historic mansion in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Arriving in East Ridge, TN
Full guide →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 4h 21m. Total distance: 230.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.8 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 East Ridge, 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 26.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at East Ridge, 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, 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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