Murfreesboro to Newbern is 207.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m via I-40 and US 412, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Tennessee, taking you from the Southeast region of the state to its western side. With nearly all highway driving, it's a straightforward trip focused on covering distance efficiently. Plan for a simple, direct path with minimal detours.
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
103.6 miles from Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
96.4 mi
1h 43m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
US 412
42.9 mi
51m
US 51
4.8 mi
5m
I 24
3.3 mi
3m
Old Fort Parkway
1.7 mi
3m
State Highway 77
1.1 mi
2m
Washington Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 96.4 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and Newbern, 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
0.3 mi·32 sec·Northwest Broad Street
7
Turn left
0.2 mi·37 sec
8
Turn straight onto SR 96
1.7 mi·3 min·Old Fort Parkway
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
10
Merge onto I 24
3.3 mi·3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 40
96 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 40
14
Take the exit onto US 412
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 412
Exit 79Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412
268 ft·6 sec·US 412
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
27 mi·32 min·US 412
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
17
Continue on US 412
16 mi·18 min·US 412
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
4.8 mi·5 min·US 51
Toward US 51 North: Union City
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward TN 77 East: Newbern, Yorkville
20
Turn right onto TN 77
1.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 77
21
Turn right onto TN 211
0.6 mi·1 min·Washington Street
22
Turn straight
57 ft·4 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under four hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. The longest stretch on I-40 is over 96 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before entering that section. You'll have one designated stop on this route, so consider making it a mid-point break to stretch your legs before continuing on US 412.
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 103.6 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.4 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.6 miles or 1h 56m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newbern, 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 207.2 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 96.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 157.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Main Street
Turn left onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
8
6.4 mi into trip|~10m in
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
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
6
157.3 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 412
Take the exit onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
7
157.6 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 412
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
6
157.6 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.60 one way
$61.20 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.78
$67.56
premium
$4.72
$38.47
$76.94
diesel
$4.80
$39.12
$78.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.2
0
$21.76
$9.95
Efficient EV
51.8
0
$18.13
$8.29
EV Truck/SUV
82.9
1
$29.01
$13.26
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Murfreesboro, TN
Morning
in Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:58PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Newbern, TN
Morning
in Newbern on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
WSW 0 to 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:58PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
90°F
Waverly, TN
104 mi in
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
1 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
3h 54m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway drive, with 98% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll spend most of your time on I-40, experiencing a long stretch of 96.4 miles without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads, mainly US 412, happens towards the end of your trip. Expect a steady pace with few interruptions until you reach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.4 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 early in the drive near East Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 207.2 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: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.3 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
940 ft318 ft
Total Climb
688 ft
Total Descent
924 ft
Highest Point
940 ft
~44.4 mi in
Elevation Range
621 ft
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 Newbern, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Dyersburg along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 207.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Newbern, 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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.3 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Newbern, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
