This 217.2-mile journey from Ridgely, TN, to the City of Murfreesboro, TN, is a straightforward drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 9 minutes. Designed for a single day, this trip is focused on efficient travel, with 98% of the route utilizing highways. You'll find the estimated fuel cost to be around $34, making it an economical option for a Tennessee road trip. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience across the state. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your time and reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
108.6 miles from Ridgely, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
140.2 mi
2h 36m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
State Route 78
14.1 mi
19m
I 24
2.9 mi
3m
I 155
2.3 mi
2m
Old Fort Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Poplar Street
0.5 mi
1m
Lake Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 140.2 mi, about 2h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgely, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on this road
61 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Depot Street
155 ft·6 sec·Depot Street
3
Turn right onto South Main Street
211 ft·11 sec·South Main Street
4
Turn left onto Poplar Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Poplar Street
5
Turn right onto TN 78
0.3 mi·26 sec·South Headden Drive
6
Continue on TN 78
14 mi·19 min·State Route 78
7
Continue on TN 78
0.5 mi·1 min·Lake Road
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Union City
9
Merge onto I 155; US 412
2.3 mi·2 min·I 155; US 412
10
Take the exit onto US 412
14 mi·16 min·US 412
Exit 15Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
11
Continue on US 412
29 mi·34 min·US 412
12
Turn left onto US 412
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·US 412
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: NashvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
14
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi·3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 78BToward SR 96 East: MurfreesboroUse the right lane.
18
Turn straight onto SR 96
1.6 mi·3 min·Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn slight left
341 ft·14 sec
20
Turn left onto Golf Lane
0.4 mi·1 min·Golf Lane
21
Arrive at destination
Golf Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 9-minute duration, departing in the morning from Ridgely will allow you ample time to reach Murfreesboro without feeling rushed. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch your legs. The longest stretch of 140.2 miles on US 412 means you’ll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, it's a budget-friendly drive, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during longer stretches. This trip is perfectly suited for a day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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 108.6 miles from Ridgely, TN, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.2 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 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ridgely, 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 Ridgely, TN
This is one driving day of about 217.2 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Ridgely, 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 US 412 for about 140.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 215 — 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|Depot Street
Turn right onto Depot Street
Navigation decision point
6
18.2 mi into trip|~25m in|US 412
Take the exit onto US 412 toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15
Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jac...
6
61.2 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412 toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
7
211.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
215 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.96 one way
$67.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.28
$74.57
premium
$4.89
$41.80
$83.60
diesel
$5.61
$47.96
$95.91
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: 76 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
65.2
0
$22.81
$10.43
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$19.01
$8.69
EV Truck/SUV
86.9
1
$30.41
$13.90
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
Ridgely, TN
Night
in Ridgely on Saturday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Night
in City of Murfreesboro on Saturday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
22 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 9m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 217.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 217.2-mile trip, with 98% of the route being on highways. You'll primarily navigate via US 412 and State Route 78, with a segment on the Tennessee National Guard Parkway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 140.2 miles on US 412, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a route designed for making good time, rather than one with frequent scenic detours or winding country roads. The character of the drive is efficient and direct, allowing you to cover significant ground.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.2 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Depot Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 217.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 (Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.2 miles (US 412): 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 Ridgely, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Union City, Jackson and Franklin.
Union City
15.5 mi in|~22m
Jackson
18.2 mi in|~25m|via US 412
Franklin
158.3 mi in|~3h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 217.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.2 miles on US 412. 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 City of Murfreesboro, 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: near the start (Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 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 City of Murfreesboro, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
