Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
176.5 mi
284 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rocky Top, TN
Kelly
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
This 176.5-mile journey from Rocky Top, TN to Murfreesboro, TN is a straightforward drive, taking approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. With 76% of the route on highways, it’s a practical option for a single day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $28, making it an economical choice for exploring within the Southeast region. This route is primarily focused on efficient travel, offering a direct path between these two Tennessee cities. Given its manageable length and duration, it's well-suited for a day excursion, though you could easily extend it if desired.
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
88.2 miles from Rocky Top, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 112.3 mi | 2h |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21 mi | 22m |
| Harriman Highway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Frost Bottom Road | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| Briceville Highway | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| North Roane Street | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Creek Street | 3.8 mi | 9m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Top, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
Start on 4th Street
Turn left onto US 25W
Turn left onto SR 116
At end of road, turn left onto SR 116
Continue on SR 116
Continue on SR 330
Continue on SR 330
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
Continue on SR 330
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 330
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
Continue on SR 330
Turn right onto SR 330
Turn left onto SR 61
Continue on SR 61
Merge onto US 27
Continue on US 27
Continue on US 27
Continue on US 27
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Continue on I 840
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 41; US 70S
Continue on US 41; US 70S
Turn right
Turn straight onto SR 96
Turn right onto Golf Lane
Arrive at destination
Given this drive is just under 3.5 hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving in the morning will allow ample time to reach Murfreesboro and still have your afternoon free. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 112.3 miles on I-40, plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is a good baseline for your budget.
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 39 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.2 miles or 1h 52m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rocky Top, 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 Rocky Top, TN
This is one driving day of about 176.5 miles and 3h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 88.2 miles from Rocky Top, 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 112.3 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 170.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 25W / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330 / Dutch Valley Road
Navigation decision point
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$27.59 one way
$55.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.30 | $60.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.97 | $67.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.97 | $77.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.53 | $8.47 |
| Efficient EV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.44 | $7.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.71 | $11.30 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Rocky Top on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in City of Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 176.5-mile trip, with 76% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 112.3 miles on I-40, indicating a significant period of consistent highway travel. This suggests a drive characterized by steady speeds and efficient progress. While the profile indicates a highway-focused experience, the inclusion of Harriman Highway might offer brief variations before you rejoin the main interstate corridors.
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 US 25W / 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 15 significant decision points across 176.5 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 (US 25W / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.4 miles (SR 330 / Dutch Valley Road): Navigation decision point; at 148.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Rocky Top, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Murfreesboro along the way.
Murfreesboro
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 176.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). 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.
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