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Trip from Paris, TN to Franklin, TN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

115.8 mi

186 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and the county seat of Henry County, Tennessee, United States

Paris, TN

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States

Franklin, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Paris to Franklin covers 115.9 miles across Tennessee, making for a manageable journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Since this is a straightforward trek within the Southeast region, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating out of Paris requires transitioning through local thoroughfares like South Market Street, Veterans Drive, and Mineral Wells Avenue. This route is ideal for those who prefer staying off the major interstates and navigating the local landscape directly.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

57.9 miles from Paris, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 55.8 mi 59m
US 641 35 mi 45m
State Highway 96 11.8 mi 14m
Fairview Boulevard 5.2 mi 5m
Highway 96 4.8 mi 6m
Mineral Wells Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Veterans Drive 0.8 mi 1m
Memorial Drive 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 55.8 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Paris, TN and Franklin, TN.

1

Start on SR 54; SR 69

96 ft · 5 sec · West Wood Street
2

Turn right onto US 641

0.2 mi · 20 sec · South Market Street
3

Continue on SR 77

0.8 mi · 1 min · Veterans Drive
4

Continue on US 641

0.8 mi · 1 min · Mineral Wells Avenue
5

Turn left onto US 641

0.6 mi · 55 sec · Memorial Drive
6

Continue on US 641

35 mi · 45 min · US 641
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
8

Merge onto I 40

56 mi · 59 min · I 40
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin Use the right lane.
10

Turn left onto TN 96

4.8 mi · 6 min · Highway 96
11

Merge onto SR 96; SR 100

5.2 mi · 5 min · Fairview Boulevard
12

Take the exit

292 ft · 8 sec
13

Turn right onto TN 96

12 mi · 14 min · State Highway 96
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on Bridge Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Bridge Street
15

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North

0.1 mi · 12 sec · 3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96

174 ft · 2 sec · Public Square
17

Arrive at destination

US 31 Business; TN 96

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 2-hour and 6-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to head out early or mid-day to avoid peak local traffic patterns that might slow your progress on these surface streets. Because the entire route is local, you won't find the same frequent rest stops or service plazas typical of major interstates, so check your fuel levels before leaving Paris. Keep in mind that the $18 fuel estimate is a baseline; ensure your tank is topped off to avoid searching for stations along the more rural stretches. Use the absence of highway miles to your advantage by planning for a direct, non-stop arrival in Franklin.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.9 miles from Paris, TN, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 25 miles or 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 57.9 miles or 1h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Paris, 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 Paris, TN

This is one driving day of about 115.8 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Paris, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 55.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Tennessee, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dickson, TN

58 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.

Popular next leg

Dickson, TN to Franklin, TN

37 mi · 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Camden, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waverly, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.9 miles from Paris, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 115.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 641 / South Market Street

Turn right onto US 641 / South Market Street

Navigation decision point

7
93.5 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Take the exit toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
5
103.7 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | TN 96 / State Highway 96

Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
115.7 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | 3rd Avenue North

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
115.8 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.10 one way

$36.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.88 $39.75
premium $4.89 $22.28 $44.57
diesel $5.61 $25.57 $51.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.7 0 $12.16 $5.56
Efficient EV 29 0 $10.13 $4.63
EV Truck/SUV 46.3 0 $16.21 $7.41

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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

Paris, TN

Late night in Paris on Tuesday

Local time

5:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, TN

Late night in Franklin on Tuesday

Local time

5:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 18m 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.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free near mile 8
View on nps.gov
Stones River National Battlefield

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...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 115.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this 115.9-mile path consists entirely of local roads, meaning the highway share is 0%. You will encounter a series of transitions as you navigate away from Paris, requiring a more engaged driving style compared to high-speed highway cruising. Because the route is composed of local connections rather than long, uninterrupted stretches, the pace remains steady but consistent. Prepare for a road personality that prioritizes local connectivity over rapid transit.

93% 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: 55.8 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 641 / South Market Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 115.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 641 / South Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 93.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.7 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Paris, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.

Primary Sr 96: Fairview

93.5 mi in | ~1h 49m

About the Cities

Starting in Paris, TN

Full guide →

Paris is a city of 10,000 people (2019) in Western Tennessee. Visitors come to see the 70-foot (21 m) replica of the Eiffel Tower and for the "World's Biggest Fish Fry."

Arriving in Franklin, TN

Full guide →

Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville. There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.

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 2h 18m. Total distance: 115.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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: near the start (US 641 / South Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 93.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.7 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Franklin, TN before heading back.

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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