This 132.6-mile drive from Sale Creek, TN to Nashville, TN takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on I-24, with portions of John Bragg Highway and TN-8 also part of your journey. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $21. Given the relatively short duration and distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day's adventure, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region of the United States.
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
66.3 miles from Sale Creek, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
27.8 mi
30m
John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi
18m
TN 8
12.6 mi
17m
Harrison Ferry Road
12.3 mi
17m
SR 111
11.5 mi
13m
Nashville Highway
10.2 mi
11m
McMinnville Highway
8.1 mi
10m
State Highway 8
7.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 27.8 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sale Creek, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on Patterson Road
24 ft·5 sec·Patterson Road
2
Turn left onto US 27
5.9 mi·6 min·Dayton Pike
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
4
Merge onto TN 111
5.4 mi·6 min·TN 111
5
Continue on SR 111
11 mi·13 min·SR 111
6
Continue on TN 8; TN 111
13 mi·17 min·TN 8; TN 111
7
Turn left onto TN 8
7.3 mi·9 min·State Highway 8
8
Continue on TN 8
12 mi·17 min·Harrison Ferry Road
9
Turn slight right onto SR 56
1.3 mi·1 min·Beersheba Highway
10
Continue on SR 56
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Colville Street
11
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi·20 sec·South Chancery Street
12
Turn left onto SR 380
0.3 mi·26 sec·West Morford Street
13
Continue on SR 380
2.1 mi·3 min·West Main Street
14
Continue on US 70S
10 mi·11 min·Nashville Highway
15
Continue on US 70S
8.1 mi·10 min·McMinnville Highway
16
Continue on US 70S; SR 53
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
17
Continue on US 70S
16 mi·18 min·John Bragg Highway
18
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi·5 min·South Rutherford Boulevard
19
Turn left onto US 231
0.3 mi·22 sec·South Church Street
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 24 West: NashvilleUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 24
28 mi·30 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 440
0.9 mi·59 sec·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 6Toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
363 ft·6 sec·Nolensville Pike
Use the left / right lanes.
26
Continue on US 31A; US 41A
0.9 mi·1 min·4th Avenue South
27
Continue on US 31A; US 41A
0.2 mi·20 sec·Ensley Boulevard
28
Turn left onto US 31A; US 41A
0.9 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Turn slight left onto US 31A; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
0.7 mi·1 min·Lafayette Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
30
Enter roundabout onto US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
169 ft·2 sec·8th Avenue South
31
Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
0.3 mi·40 sec·8th Avenue South
32
Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 431
0.2 mi·34 sec·Rosa L Parks Boulevard
33
Turn right onto Rosa L Parks Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Rosa L Parks Avenue
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
411 ft·15 sec·Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn left onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi·1 min·7th Avenue North
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Sale Creek to maximize your time in Nashville. With only one recommended stop noted, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a break is nearly 28 miles on I-24. The estimated fuel cost of $21 is quite reasonable for this distance, so budgeting for gas should be straightforward. Enjoy the relatively quick journey!
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 66.3 miles from Sale Creek, TN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.8 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.3 miles or 1h 26m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sale Creek, 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 Sale Creek, TN
This is one driving day of about 132.6 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Sale Creek, 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 24 for about 27.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 98.7 and 132.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
98.7 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
7
126.9 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 440 West: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward I 440 West: Memphis
8
128.5 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville Pike
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 6
Toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville Pike
7
128.8 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|US 31A; US 41A / Nolensville Pike
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A / Nolensville Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
132.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.73 one way
$41.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.76
$45.52
premium
$4.89
$25.52
$51.04
diesel
$5.61
$29.28
$58.55
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: 46.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.8
0
$13.92
$6.36
Efficient EV
33.2
0
$11.60
$5.30
EV Truck/SUV
53
0
$18.56
$8.49
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Sale Creek, TN
Late night
in Sale Creek on Sunday
Local time
12:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nashville, TN
Night
in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
McMinnville, TN
66 mi in
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
30 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 50m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 105.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with nearly half (49%) of your journey on highways. While I-24 offers stretches of faster travel, you'll also encounter sections on John Bragg Highway and TN-8. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 27.8 miles on I-24. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and more varied road conditions as you transition between different types of thoroughfares, keeping the driving experience engaging.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.8 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 98.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 132.6 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: at 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 132.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.8 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Nashville, 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: at 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.5 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 Nashville, TN before heading back.
