Crossing Tennessee from Newport to Nashville is a straightforward 228.9-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 14 minutes. Because the route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $35 on fuel for the trek, making this an efficient way to travel across the state. You will start in the Southeast region of Tennessee and finish in the same region, ensuring a consistent climate and landscape throughout your drive. Whether you are heading to the capital for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this route makes it a stress-free option for travelers.
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
114.4 miles from Newport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
224 mi
4h 5m
Cosby Highway
1.4 mi
1m
Downtown Loop
1.1 mi
1m
James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
1m
I 24
0.3 mi
<1m
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
East Broadway Street
0.3 mi
<1m
7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 224 mi, about 4h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on this road
56 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 321
94 ft·5 sec·McMahan Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 25; US 70; US 321
0.3 mi·32 sec·East Broadway Street
4
Turn left onto US 321; SR 32
1.4 mi·1 min·Cosby Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi·1 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 48Toward James Robertson Parkway, State CapitolUse the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi·1 min·James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft·6 sec·3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi·43 sec·Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi·1 min·7th Avenue North
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip is just over 4 hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but leaving early helps you avoid potential congestion near the Downtown Loop. You should plan for at least one stop during the 228.9-mile haul to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep in mind that your longest uninterrupted stretch is 224 miles on I-40, so verify your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary stops. Because this is a single-day trip, consider timing your arrival to miss Nashville's peak traffic hours. This approach keeps your transit smooth and ensures you reach your destination feeling refreshed.
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 114.4 miles from Newport, TN, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224 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 50 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.4 miles or 2h 7m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newport, 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 Newport, TN
This is one driving day of about 228.9 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Newport, 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 224 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 68.9 and 228.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
68.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
225.9 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
8
227.4 mi into trip|~4h 10m in
Take the exit toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
6
228.3 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.79 one way
$71.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.29
$78.58
premium
$4.89
$44.05
$88.10
diesel
$5.61
$50.54
$101.08
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: 80.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.7
0
$24.03
$10.99
Efficient EV
57.2
0
$20.03
$9.16
EV Truck/SUV
91.6
1
$32.05
$14.65
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Newport, TN
Night
in Newport on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nashville, TN
Night
in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
114 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
25 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 14m 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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 213.1
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 31.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 98% of this drive takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a 224-mile stretch of the journey. While you start on Cosby Highway to get moving, the road quickly transitions into a consistent, high-capacity interstate grind. This profile is ideal for those who prefer to set the cruise control and make steady progress toward their destination. The character of the drive is strictly functional, prioritizing efficiency and speed over technical, winding backroads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Cosby Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.9 miles in near I 40.
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 14 significant decision points across 228.9 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 68.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 228.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m 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 224 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 Nashville, 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 68.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
