Origin
Nashville, TN
Late night in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
202.3 mi
326 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Piperton, TN
Frank Cone
This 202.3-mile drive from Nashville, TN to Piperton, TN is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-40, which makes up 98% of the route, meaning it's a highly efficient highway-focused trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, it's an economical option for a day trip within the Southeast region. The longest continuous stretch is a significant 182.2 miles on I-40, so plan your breaks accordingly. This route is ideal if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
101.1 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 182.2 mi | 3h 16m |
| Governor Winfield Dunn Parkway | 15.4 mi | 17m |
| TN 57 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| TN 196 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Paul W Barret Parkway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| George L Davis Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Piperton, TN.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto George L Davis Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40; I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 269
Continue on I 269
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn slight left onto TN 57
Turn right onto TN 196
Arrive at destination
Given the 3 hour and 45 minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave mid-morning to avoid the heaviest rush hour traffic in Nashville. With the longest stretch covering 182.2 miles on I-40, it's wise to plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break midway through your journey, perhaps around the halfway point of that long stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on that extensive segment of I-40, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably without needing an unscheduled stop.
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 45 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.1 miles or 1h 52m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Piperton, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN
This is one driving day of about 202.3 miles and 3h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 101.1 miles from Nashville, 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 182.2 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 1.7 and 201.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 269, TN 385: Jackson Mississippi, Collierville, Millington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 269, TN 385
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 South: Collierville, Jackson, Mississippi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward TN 57 East: Piperton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$31.63 one way
$63.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.73 | $69.45 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.93 | $77.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.67 | $89.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.24 | $9.71 |
| Efficient EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.70 | $8.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.9 | 1 | $28.32 | $12.95 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Late night in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Piperton on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
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.
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.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-40 and Governor Winfield Dunn Parkway. This means you'll experience mostly high-speed travel with limited local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 182.2 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the primary roads are functional, the scenery will likely be consistent with interstate travel across Tennessee. The profile suggests a drive where efficiency and reaching your destination are the main priorities.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Governor Winfield Dunn Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near I 40.
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 202.3 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 1.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nashville, TN and Piperton, TN, road signs point toward Collierville, Millington, Jackson and Mississippi.
Collierville
Millington
Jackson
Mississippi
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 202.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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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