Origin
Nashville, TN
Night in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nashville, TN to Ripley, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
172.8 mi
278 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Ripley, TN
Mithran Kannan
Trip Overview
Nashville to Ripley is 172.8 miles and takes about 3 hours 23 minutes via I-40 and TN-19, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays entirely within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region towards its western edge. It’s a straightforward trip, primarily on interstate, making it a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Given its relatively short duration, you should have no problem completing this journey in a single day without feeling rushed.
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
86.4 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 141.8 mi | 2h 33m |
| TN 19 | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| East Main Street | 9.5 mi | 14m |
| Eastland Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Highland Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Haralson Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 141.8 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Ripley, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
3
Turn right onto George L Davis Boulevard
87 ft
·
1 sec
·
George L Davis Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
5
Merge onto I 40; I 65
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Downtown Loop
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
142 mi
·
2 hr 33 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
8
Turn right onto US 70
9.5 mi
·
14 min
·
East Main Street
9
Enter roundabout onto TN 54
401 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Main Street
10
Continue on TN 54
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
11
Turn right onto Haralson Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Haralson Street
12
Turn right onto TN 19
16 mi
·
23 min
·
TN 19
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto Eastland Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Eastland Avenue
14
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Avenue
15
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
16
Turn right onto West Washington Street
314 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Washington Street
17
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip covering 172.8 miles, leaving Nashville in the morning will give you ample time to reach Ripley comfortably. The longest stretch without a major change in road is 141.8 miles on I-40, so plan a fuel or rest stop before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's a budget-friendly excursion. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the final 30 miles, as services might become less frequent on TN-19.
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 86.4 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.8 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ripley, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 172.8 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Nashville, 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 141.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.4 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 141.8 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 154.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisvil...
7
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
5
143.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
5
154.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
TN 19
Turn right onto TN 19
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.02 one way
$54.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.66 | $59.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.25 | $66.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.15 | $76.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.14 | $8.29 |
| Efficient EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.12 | $6.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.19 | $11.06 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Ripley, TN
Night in Ripley on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
23 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 23m on the road
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.
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey on interstates and major roads. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I-40, covering a continuous stretch of 141.8 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the trip, characterized by fast speeds and limited distractions. As you approach your destination, the route transitions to TN-19 and then East Main Street in Ripley, offering a slight change in scenery and pace before you arrive.
91% 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: 141.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 19. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 172.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.8 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Ripley, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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