Red Bank, TN to Hendersonville, TN is 202.2 miles and takes about 4h 8m via I 40 and SR 109, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you want to cover ground efficiently. You'll be on the road for just over four hours, so it's easily manageable as a single-day journey.
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
101.1 miles from Red Bank, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
131.5 mi
2h 21m
East Lamar Alexander Parkway
40.8 mi
57m
SR 109
14.8 mi
20m
Nashville Pike
5.7 mi
8m
East Main Street
3 mi
4m
Gallatin Road
1.4 mi
2m
Old Tuckaleechee Road
1.3 mi
3m
Cavern Road
1.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 131.5 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Bank, TN and Hendersonville, 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
132 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 232Toward TN 109: GallatinUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto SR 109
13 mi·18 min·SR 109
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto SR 109
2.1 mi·2 min·SR 109
Use the left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, HendersonvilleUse the right lane.
15
Turn right onto US 31E
5.7 mi·8 min·Nashville Pike
16
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
17
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi·2 min·Gallatin Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 31E
1.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
19
Turn left onto Walton Ferry Road
53 ft·1 sec·Walton Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Walton Ferry Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 4 hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan for that midway point. With over 131 miles on I 40 before needing to divert, ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that long stretch. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so budget accordingly.
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 101.1 miles from Red Bank, TN, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.5 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 44 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.1 miles or 2h 9m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendersonville, 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 202.2 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 131.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 45 and 191.9 — 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
5
45.3 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward TN 109: Gallatin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 232
Toward TN 109: Gallatin
5
177.2 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|SR 109
Turn right onto SR 109
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
191.9 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.61 one way
$63.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.71
$69.42
premium
$4.89
$38.91
$77.82
diesel
$5.61
$44.64
$89.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.7
0
$21.23
$9.71
Efficient EV
50.6
0
$17.69
$8.09
EV Truck/SUV
80.9
1
$28.31
$12.94
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Red Bank, TN
Morning
in Red Bank on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hendersonville, TN
Late night
in Hendersonville on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Spring City, TN
101 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
23 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 8m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 187.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the drive taking place on major roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 40, including one continuous stretch of 131.5 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the journey, characterized by higher speeds and less frequent turns. The primary roads include I 40, East Lamar Alexander Parkway, and SR 109, offering a predominantly fast-paced drive.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East Lamar Alexander Parkway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 45 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 202.2 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 45 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Red Bank is a hip city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in the United States. It is the Garden State's answer to Greenwich Village. Red Bank is famous for being the home of legendary big band leader Count Basie and the stomping grounds of celebrities Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and raunchy filmmaker Kevin Smith. Several of Kevin Smith's movies are set or filmed in Red Bank, most notably Chasing Amy and the TV series Comic Book Men. In 2012, Smithsonian Magazine listed Red Bank as the 3rd best small town in America, citing its numerous theaters, galleries, and art festivals.
Hendersonville is a city in Sumner County of the American state of Tennessee. It is a well-known suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, and has been the home of many country music stars, including Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 202.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m 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 131.5 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.
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: at 45 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hendersonville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
