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Trip from Ripley, TN to Murfreesboro, TN

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 40m ★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Ripley, TN, TN

Ripley, TN

Mithran Kannan

city in Tennessee, United States of America

Murfreesboro, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 40 — 110.2 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.

1

Start on East Washington Street

62 ft · 8 sec · East Washington Street
2

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · South Main Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto Highland Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Highland Avenue
4

Turn left onto Eastland Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · Eastland Avenue
5

Turn left onto TN 19

16 mi · 23 min · TN 19
6

Turn left onto Haralson Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Haralson Street
Use the left lane.
7

At end of road, turn left onto TN 54

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
8

Enter roundabout onto East Main Street

392 ft · 7 sec · East Main Street
9

Continue on East Main Street

9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
10

Turn left

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 66 Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
11

Merge onto I 40

110 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
13

Merge onto I 840

52 mi · 55 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 24

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 78B Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro Use the right lane.
17

Turn straight onto SR 96

2.0 mi · 3 min · Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 29 sec
19

Keep slight right at fork

181 ft · 6 sec
20

Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Northwest Broad Street
Use the right lane.
21

Turn left onto West Main Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Main Street
22

Turn right onto South Maple Street

138 ft · 4 sec · South Maple Street
23

Turn slight left onto South Public Square

467 ft · 12 sec · South Public Square
24

Turn slight right onto East Main Street

47 ft · 1 sec · East Main Street
25

Continue on East Main Street

347 ft · 13 sec · East Main Street
26

Turn right onto South Spring Street

84 ft · 3 sec · South Spring Street
27

Arrive at destination

South Spring Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 99.6 miles from Ripley, TN, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Ripley, 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 110.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Tennessee, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dickson, TN

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Jackson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dickson, TN

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

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.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Main Street

Turn left onto South Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Highland Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Highland Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
192.4 mi into trip | ~3h 41m 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
196.1 mi into trip | ~3h 46m 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
6
198.5 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in | US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street

Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.14 one way

$62.29 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ripley, TN

Night in Ripley on Saturday

Local time

11:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Murfreesboro, TN

Night in Murfreesboro on Saturday

Local time

11:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 52m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.2 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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.

Driving Effort 8/10

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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

139.4 mi in | ~2h 43m

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 110.2 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 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 (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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Murfreesboro, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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.

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