Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Rockwood, TN to City of 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
2h 38m
Distance
136.4 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockwood, TN
Wikimedia Commons
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Rockwood, TN to the City of Murfreesboro, TN is 136.4 miles and takes about 2h 38m via I 40 and US 70, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region toward another part of the Southeast. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward journey. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, this route is ideal for a quick trip or as part of a larger itinerary.
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
68.2 miles from Rockwood, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 93.6 mi | 1h 40m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21 mi | 22m |
| US 70 | 12.2 mi | 18m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| South Gateway Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| New Nashville Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Golf Lane | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Old Fort Parkway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 93.6 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockwood, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on North Kingston Avenue
201 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Kingston Avenue
2
Turn right onto East Rockwood Street
348 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Rockwood Street
3
Turn left onto US 27; US 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Gateway Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 70
12 mi
·
18 min
·
US 70
5
Turn left onto Market Street
520 ft
·
11 sec
·
Market Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
7
Merge onto I 40
94 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 235
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 840
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 55A-B
Toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 55A
Toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
13
Turn straight onto US 41; US 70S
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
New Nashville Highway
14
Continue on US 41; US 70S
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Broad Street
15
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
16
Turn straight onto SR 96
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Old Fort Parkway
17
Turn right onto Golf Lane
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Golf Lane
18
Arrive at destination
Golf Lane
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 38m duration, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost of around $21, planning for extensive breaks isn't necessary, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 93.6-mile stretch on I 40. Consider a quick stop at a rest area along I 40 to stretch your legs before the final leg into Murfreesboro.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.2 miles from Rockwood, TN, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.6 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.2 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
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 Rockwood, 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 Rockwood, TN
This is one driving day of about 136.4 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Rockwood, 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 93.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.2 miles from Rockwood, 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 93.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Tennessee Visitor Center
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 West Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 East Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Eco Travel Plaza
0.3 mi from route
The Bug Man
0.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 130.5 — 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
|
East Rockwood Street
Turn right onto East Rockwood Street
Navigation decision point
5
14.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
108.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
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 235
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
8
130.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
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 55A-B
Toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
9
130.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.32 one way
$42.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.41 | $46.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.25 | $52.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.12 | $60.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.9 | 0 | $14.32 | $6.55 |
| Efficient EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.94 | $5.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.10 | $8.73 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Origin
Rockwood, TN
Morning in Rockwood on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Morning in City of Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
8:44 AM
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 38m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 131.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 93% highway, so you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 93.6 miles on I 40, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While primarily interstate, the route does incorporate Tennessee National Guard Parkway and US 70, which may offer brief changes in scenery and speed. Overall, anticipate a fast-paced drive with minimal interruptions.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Rockwood Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 136.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 (East Rockwood Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.1 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.
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 Rockwood, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Murfreesboro along the way.
Murfreesboro
108.1 mi in
|
~2h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 136.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m 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 93.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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: near the start (East Rockwood Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Murfreesboro, TN before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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