Nashville to Rogersville is 244.3 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I-40 and I-24, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily in Tennessee, and is designed for a single day of travel. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward drive. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from Nashville eastward without needing an overnight stay.
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
122.1 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
100.8 mi
1h 51m
I 24
80.6 mi
1h 27m
Rutledge Pike
28.5 mi
32m
Lee Highway
27.1 mi
31m
Appalachian Highway
1.7 mi
1m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
West Main Street
0.9 mi
1m
Downtown Loop
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 100.8 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Rogersville, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.4 mi·2 min·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi·43 sec·Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi·1 min·James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
451 ft·9 sec·Interstate Drive
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 24 EastUse the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 24
0.8 mi·1 min·Downtown Loop
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 24
Exit 50AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 40
93 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
7.6 mi·9 min·I 40
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 11W: Knoxville Zoo
11
Keep slight right at fork
391 ft·9 sec
Toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean Station
12
Continue on US 11W
29 mi·32 min·Rutledge Pike
13
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
12 mi·13 min·Lee Highway
14
Merge onto US 11W; US 25E; SR 1; SR 32; ADHS S
1.7 mi·1 min·Appalachian Highway
15
Turn left onto Old US 11W
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
16
Turn left onto US 11W; SR 1
16 mi·18 min·Lee Highway
17
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
0.6 mi·41 sec·Rogersville Bypass
18
Take the exit
192 ft·5 sec
19
Turn right onto Sneedville Pike
0.1 mi·16 sec·Sneedville Pike
20
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 37m drive time, leaving Nashville in the morning will allow you to reach Rogersville with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 100.8-mile stretch on I-40, and plan your refueling accordingly. The transition from interstate to surface roads will signal the final leg of your trip, so be prepared for potentially slower speeds and more local traffic.
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 122.1 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.8 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.1 miles or 2h 16m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rogersville, 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 244.3 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 100.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 184 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip|~2m in|Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~3m in|James Robertson Parkway
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 24 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 24 East
9
2.5 mi into trip|~6m in|I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
7
184 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.88 one way
$75.75 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$41.53
$83.06
premium
$4.93
$47.40
$94.80
diesel
$5.60
$53.85
$107.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.3
0
$25.65
$11.73
Efficient EV
61.1
0
$21.38
$9.77
EV Truck/SUV
97.7
1
$34.20
$15.64
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Nashville, TN
Late night
in Nashville on Wednesday
Local time
1:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 30 at 7:13PM CDT until August 31 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Rogersville, TN
Late night
in Rogersville on Wednesday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 30 at 7:13PM CDT until August 31 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
7 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 37m 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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 219
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 75% highway, meaning you'll be on interstates for the bulk of the drive. The longest continuous stretch is 100.8 miles on I-40. After the interstate segments, you'll transition to surface roads like Rutledge Pike. Expect a steady pace on the highways, with a noticeable increase in exit density as you approach more populated areas.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
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 15 significant decision points across 244.3 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 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,851 ft514 ft
Total Climb
1,948 ft
Total Descent
1,218 ft
Highest Point
1,851 ft
~104.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,336 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nashville, TN and Rogersville, TN, road signs point toward Blaine, Rutledge and Bean Station.
Nashville is the capital of the American state of Tennessee. With 716,000 residents in 2022, it is the state's largest city. Nashville is sometimes called the "Country Music Capital of the World" or more often "Music City, USA"; however, Nashville has done much to escape its country music image and become a regional center of culture and commerce. In fact, Dell, Nissan, and Amazon have all moved some operations to or near the city. The music is various; major rap artists and rock bands (Jelly Roll, Young Buck, Haystak, Kings of Leon, Paramore, and Ben Folds) claim Nashville as their hometown, and the city is also the epicenter of the contemporary Christian music industry. Nashville has been the home of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry since 1925. Nashville also has a great bar scene. If you like to drink, you can go "Honky-tonking," also known as bar-hopping.
Top landmarks
•Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum — hall of fame
•Parthenon — Parthenon in Nashville
•Tennessee State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Tennessee
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 244.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Rogersville, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Rogersville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
