Pine Crest, TN to Nashville, TN is 192.5 miles and takes about 4h 11m via I 40 and Harriman Highway, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region toward its central hub. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll find the route efficient for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
96.2 miles from Pine Crest, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
136.6 mi
2h 27m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Frost Bottom Road
7.1 mi
12m
US 25W
5.7 mi
6m
Pinecrest Road
5.6 mi
21m
Briceville Highway
5.3 mi
9m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
Creek Street
3.8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Crest, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on Fire Department Lane
88 ft·4 sec·Fire Department Lane
2
Turn left onto Pinecrest Road
5.5 mi·21 min·Pinecrest Road
3
Continue on Pinecrest Road
273 ft·12 sec·Pinecrest Road
4
Turn slight left onto Towe String Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Towe String Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto Island Road
207 ft·9 sec·Island Road
6
Turn right onto Liberty Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Liberty Street
7
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·Main Street
8
Turn right onto Paris Nance Road
0.2 mi·39 sec·Paris Nance Road
9
Turn left onto US 25W; TN 63
3.0 mi·3 min·West Central Avenue
10
Continue on US 25W; TN 63
0.1 mi·8 sec·Royal Blue Road
11
Take the exit onto US 25W
5.7 mi·6 min·US 25W
Toward Knoxville
12
Take the exit onto I 75; US 25W
0.2 mi·25 sec·I 75; US 25W
Toward US 25W South: Rocky Top, Lake City
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75; US 25W
241 ft·5 sec·I 75; US 25W
14
Turn slight right onto US 25W; SR 116
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
15
Turn right onto SR 116
3.8 mi·9 min·Creek Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto SR 116
234 ft·7 sec·Briceville Highway
17
Continue on SR 116
5.2 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
18
Continue on SR 330
166 ft·3 sec·Briceville Highway
19
Continue on SR 330
7.1 mi·12 min·Frost Bottom Road
20
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
0.4 mi·43 sec·Dutch Valley Road
21
Continue on SR 330
0.5 mi·1 min·Walden Avenue
22
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 330
0.6 mi·1 min·East Spring Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
0.1 mi·14 sec·Main Street
24
Continue on SR 330
0.2 mi·24 sec·Railroad Avenue
25
Turn right onto SR 330
447 ft·11 sec·Winter Gap Road
26
Turn left onto SR 61
1.2 mi·1 min·East Tri County Boulevard
27
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
28
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
29
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
30
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
31
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
32
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
33
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
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.
35
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.
36
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi·1 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 48Toward James Robertson Parkway, State CapitolUse the right lane.
38
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi·1 min·James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
39
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft·6 sec·3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
40
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.
41
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi·1 min·7th Avenue North
42
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential stops. With the fuel cost estimated at around $29, planning your fill-ups is straightforward. The longest continuous stretch on I 40 is over 130 miles, so ensure you're comfortable before embarking on that segment. Given the relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to depart later in the day if needed, but an earlier start generally provides a smoother arrival into Nashville.
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 96.2 miles from Pine Crest, TN, or about 2h 23m 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 42 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.2 miles or 2h 23m 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 29m
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 Pine Crest, 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 Pine Crest, TN
This is one driving day of about 192.5 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Pine Crest, 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 187.4 and 191.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
187.4 mi into trip|~4h 1m 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
189.5 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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
191 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
191.9 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
191.9 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
$29.37 one way
$58.74 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$32.35
$64.69
premium
$4.81
$36.42
$72.85
diesel
$5.40
$40.95
$81.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.8
0
$20.21
$9.24
Efficient EV
48.1
0
$16.84
$7.70
EV Truck/SUV
77
0
$26.95
$12.32
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 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 25, 2026
Origin
Pine Crest, TN
Afternoon
in Pine Crest on Saturday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 0 to 5 mph64% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Nashville, TN
Afternoon
in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
2:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
53°F
Kingston, TN
96 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
7 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
4h 11m 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 172.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 75% of the travel occurring on I 40. You'll experience a long stretch of 136.6 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads like Harriman Highway and Frost Bottom Road. Expect a steady cruising pace for most of the trip, with occasional density of exits as you approach your destination.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 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?
10/10
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 187.4 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 192.5 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 187.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.5 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pine Crest, TN and Nashville, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Lake City.
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 11m. Total distance: 192.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m 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 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 187.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.5 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
