Origin
Norris, TN
Late night in Norris on Tuesday
Local time
5:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norris, TN to Nashville, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
180.9 mi
291 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 21m
★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 59m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norris, TN
Atahan Demir
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 180.9-mile drive from Norris, TN to Nashville, TN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-40, making it a highway-focused journey through the Southeast region. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, it's an economical option. The drive is straightforward, with only one recommended stop, and offers a longest continuous stretch of 136.6 miles on I-40, allowing for efficient travel time. This makes it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground without extensive planning.
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
90.5 miles from Norris, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 136.6 mi | 2h 27m |
| Harriman Highway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Oliver Springs Highway | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| North Charles G Seivers Boulevard | 5 mi | 8m |
| East Tri County Boulevard | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| North Roane Street | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| South Charles G Seivers Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Hannah Highway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norris, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on East Norris Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Norris Road
2
Turn right onto US 441; SR 61
370 ft
·
10 sec
·
Andersonville Highway
3
Continue on US 441; SR 61
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Norris Freeway
4
Turn straight onto SR 61
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Little Senator Circle
5
Continue on TN 61
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Andersonville Highway
6
Continue on TN 61
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
North Charles G Seivers Boulevard
7
Turn right onto West Weaver Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Weaver Avenue
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 25W
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
9
Turn right onto TN 61
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Charles G Seivers Boulevard
10
Continue on TN 61
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard
11
Continue on TN 61
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Ridge Highway
12
Continue on TN 61
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Ridge Turnpike
13
Turn right onto TN 61
7.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Oliver Springs Highway
14
Turn right onto SR 61; SR 62
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
East Tri County Boulevard
15
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Harriman Highway
16
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Bitter Creek Highway
17
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Harriman Highway
18
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hannah Highway
19
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Roane Street
20
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
21
Merge onto I 40
134 mi
·
2 hr 24 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Use the right lane.
26
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
28
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.
29
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 3.5 hours, this trip works best as a day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can leave early to maximize your day in Nashville or depart mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush. With only one planned stop, consider making it a refueling break or a quick stretch. The longest stretch on I-40 means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive, but be mindful of potential traffic as you approach Nashville. Plan your fuel needs, especially if you prefer to fill up before the longest 136.6-mile interstate segment.
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 90.5 miles from Norris, TN, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.6 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 40 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.5 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 2h 54m
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 Norris, 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 Norris, TN
This is one driving day of about 180.9 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Norris, 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 136.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.5 miles from Norris, 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 136.6 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 175.8 and 180.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
175.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m 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
178 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m 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
179.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m 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
180.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
|
3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
180.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.28 one way
$56.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.05 | $62.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.81 | $69.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.94 | $79.88 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Oak Ridge Turnpike
(1.1 mi)
$0.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.3 | 0 | $18.99 | $8.68 |
| Efficient EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.83 | $7.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.33 | $11.58 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Nashville, TN
Late night in Nashville on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 33m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience, with 77% of the drive on major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion on I-40, including a substantial 136.6-mile stretch without needing to exit. The initial part of the journey may involve local roads like Harriman Highway and Oliver Springs Highway before merging onto the main interstate. While not a winding scenic route, the highway offers a consistent pace for covering the 180.9 miles between Norris and Nashville.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 175.8 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 180.9 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 175.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Nashville, TN
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 180.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.08 in tolls one way, starting with Oak Ridge Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 175.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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