Connecting Oak Ridge to Nashville, this 162.6-mile journey across Tennessee is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 1 minute. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $25 on fuel for the trip. Navigating through the Southeast, you will primarily utilize I-40 to make steady progress between these two cities. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that provides a reliable link between the regions.
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
81.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
136.6 mi
2h 27m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
East Tri County Boulevard
5.7 mi
6m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
Hannah Highway
2.1 mi
2m
Downtown Loop
1.1 mi
1m
North Illinois Avenue
1 mi
1m
James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Ridge, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on TN 62
1.0 mi·1 min·North Illinois Avenue
2
Continue on SR 62
5.7 mi·6 min·East Tri County Boulevard
3
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
4
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
5
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
6
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
7
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
8
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
9
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi·1 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 48Toward James Robertson Parkway, State CapitolUse the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi·1 min·James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft·6 sec·3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
16
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.
17
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi·1 min·7th Avenue North
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the drive is manageable within a few hours, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 162.6-mile trip, as this allows you to stretch your legs before finishing the final leg into Nashville. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when leaving Oak Ridge, as your $25 budget should comfortably cover the journey if you maintain steady highway speeds. Because the route relies so heavily on I-40, check traffic reports before you leave to ensure the interstate is flowing smoothly. Use the local roads like East Tri-County Boulevard to navigate out of the starting area before settling into the long, primary highway stretch.
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 81.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN, or about 1h 29m 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 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 Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, TN
This is one driving day of about 162.6 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Oak Ridge, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 157.5 and 162 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
157.5 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
159.6 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
161.1 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
162 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
162 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
$25.42 one way
$50.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.91
$55.82
premium
$4.89
$31.29
$62.58
diesel
$5.61
$35.90
$71.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.8
0
$17.07
$7.80
Efficient EV
40.7
0
$14.23
$6.50
EV Truck/SUV
65
0
$22.76
$10.41
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Oak Ridge, TN
Late night
in Oak Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nashville, TN
Late night
in Nashville on Tuesday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Monterey, TN
81 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
21 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 1m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 85% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey—136.6 miles—on the uninterrupted stretch of I-40, making it a predictable experience for those comfortable with interstate driving. Outside of this primary artery, you will navigate local connections like the Harriman Highway and East Tri-County Boulevard to get started. While the drive is efficient, the transition from local roads to the long highway stretch defines the overall pace. Expect a consistent, highway-focused environment that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 157.5 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 162.6 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 157.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.6 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 162.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). 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.
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 157.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.6 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
