This 217-mile drive from Red Bank, TN to Franklin, TN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 17 minutes on the road, covering 96% of the distance on major highways, including I-40 and I-65. With an estimated fuel cost of $34, it's an economical option for a quick trip within the Southeast region. The route is designed for efficiency, making it ideal for those who want to reach their destination without extensive detours or lengthy stops.
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
108.5 miles from Red Bank, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
150.3 mi
2h 41m
East Lamar Alexander Parkway
40.8 mi
57m
I 65
14.1 mi
15m
Murfreesboro Road
2.3 mi
3m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.1 mi
2m
Old Tuckaleechee Road
1.3 mi
3m
Cavern Road
1.2 mi
3m
Old Cades Cove Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 150.3 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Bank, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on Pam Lane
123 ft·5 sec·Pam Lane
2
Turn left onto Schoolhouse Gap Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Schoolhouse Gap Road
3
Turn slight right onto Cavern Road
1.2 mi·3 min·Cavern Road
4
Turn straight onto Dry Valley Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Dry Valley Road
5
Turn straight onto Old Cades Cove Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Cades Cove Road
6
Turn straight onto Old Tuckaleechee Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Old Tuckaleechee Road
7
Turn left onto US 321
14 mi·21 min·East Lamar Alexander Parkway
8
Continue on US 321
27 mi·36 min·East Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
150 mi·2 hr 41 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 213AToward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: Memphis
13
Continue on I 440
2.1 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 5Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·57 sec·this road
Exit 5Toward 65: Huntsville
17
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 65Toward TN 96: Franklin, MurfreesboroUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto TN 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft·6 sec·Public Square
22
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 17-minute duration and highway focus, starting your trip in Red Bank in the morning is your best bet for a smooth arrival in Franklin. With only one recommended stop and a $34 fuel estimate, planning is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 150.3-mile stretch on I-40, as services can be spaced out. This trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you have flexibility in your departure time and can make a single, brief stop as needed.
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 108.5 miles from Red Bank, TN, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.3 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 48 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 32m
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 Red Bank, 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 Red Bank, TN
This is one driving day of about 217 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Red Bank, 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 150.3 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 45 and 213.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
45 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
7
195.6 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...
8
199 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
6
199.1 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
8
213.9 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.93 one way
$67.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.25
$74.50
premium
$4.89
$41.76
$83.52
diesel
$5.61
$47.91
$95.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.78
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$18.99
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Red Bank, TN
Morning
in Red Bank on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, TN
Late night
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
109 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
37 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 17m 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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
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...
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 179.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The majority of this drive, 96%, is on highways, so expect a high-speed experience for most of the 217 miles. You'll spend a significant portion on I-40, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 150.3 miles. East Lamar Alexander Parkway will also feature in your journey. This profile suggests a route prioritizing direct travel over scenic byways, with the road character remaining consistent for large segments, allowing for steady progress towards Franklin.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East Lamar Alexander Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45 miles in.
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 11 significant decision points across 217 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 45 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199 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 Red Bank, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 217 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.3 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 Franklin, 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 45 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
