Origin
Ripley, TN
Night in Ripley on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
199.2 mi
321 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ripley, TN
Mithran Kannan
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
This 199.2-mile drive from Ripley to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes. With 92% of the journey on highways, you'll find it a straightforward, efficient route through the Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $31, making it an economical option. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-40, so expect a focused highway experience. This route is perfect for a quick transition between two points within Tennessee.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
99.6 miles from Ripley, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 110.2 mi | 1h 58m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| TN 19 | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| East Main Street | 9.8 mi | 14m |
| I 24 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Old Fort Parkway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Eastland Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
Start on East Washington Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto Highland Avenue
Turn left onto Eastland Avenue
Turn left onto TN 19
Turn left onto Haralson Street
At end of road, turn left onto TN 54
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
Continue on East Main Street
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Merge onto I 840
Take the exit
Merge onto I 24
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 96
Turn slight right
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
Turn left onto West Main Street
Turn right onto South Maple Street
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
Continue on East Main Street
Turn right onto South Spring Street
Arrive at destination
Given the manageable 3-hour and 52-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for flexibility. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a significant break is over 110 miles on I-40. Planning one stop for fuel and a stretch would be wise. The estimated fuel cost is $31, so factor that into your budget. Enjoy the straightforward journey to Murfreesboro!
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.
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 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.6 miles or 2h 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ripley, 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 Ripley, TN
This is one driving day of about 199.2 miles and 3h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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.
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.6 miles from Ripley, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 198.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Highland Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$31.14 one way
$62.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.19 | $68.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.33 | $76.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.98 | $87.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.92 | $9.56 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.43 | $7.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.89 | $12.75 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Ripley on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Murfreesboro on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 92% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 110.2 miles on I-40, which means extended periods of consistent speed. The primary roads you'll navigate include I-40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and TN-19. While largely interstate, the presence of other highway types suggests some variation in the road's feel, though the overall character remains efficient and direct. This drive is built for covering ground.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 199.2 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: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Highland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 192.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ripley, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 199.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Ripley, TN or browse trips ending in Murfreesboro, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.