Origin
Selmer, TN
Late night in Selmer on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Selmer, TN to Nashville, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
149.7 mi
241 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Selmer, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 153.6-mile journey from Selmer, TN, to Nashville, TN, is a manageable 2-hour and 36-minute drive, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll navigate primarily via State Route 100 and I-40 East, with a minimal highway share, suggesting a more local feel. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $23. Given its relatively short duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, you can comfortably complete this in a single day without needing an overnight stop. This trip keeps you within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional experience.
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
74.9 miles from Selmer, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 81.4 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 641 | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| TN 22 | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| State Route 100 | 15.2 mi | 22m |
| US 64 | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| North Maple Street | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| East Court Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 81.4 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Selmer, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on US 64 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Court Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 64
12 mi
·
16 min
·
US 64
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto SR 22
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
North Maple Street
4
Continue on TN 22
16 mi
·
21 min
·
TN 22
5
Turn right onto TN 100
15 mi
·
22 min
·
State Route 100
6
Turn left onto US 641; SR 202
19 mi
·
22 min
·
US 641; SR 202
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
8
Merge onto I 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 40; I 65
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
Downtown Loop
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 209
Toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on 12th Avenue North
200 ft
·
12 sec
·
12th Avenue North
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 70
329 ft
·
7 sec
·
Charlotte Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
15
Turn left onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 36-minute trip covering 153.6 miles, starting your drive in the morning will give you ample time to reach Nashville and explore. Since the drive is relatively short and has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, you can be flexible with stops; consider a single planned stop to break up the journey, perhaps around the halfway point. The fuel cost is estimated at $23, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Selmer. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means paying attention to navigation is key to staying on track for Nashville.
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 74.9 miles from Selmer, TN, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 33 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.9 miles or 1h 39m 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 30m
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 Selmer, 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 Selmer, TN
This is one driving day of about 149.7 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Selmer, 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 81.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.9 miles from Selmer, 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 81.4 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 148.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 64
Turn left onto US 64
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
66.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
147.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
8
148.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Street
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 209
Toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Stre...
7
148.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
US 70 / Charlotte Avenue
Turn left onto US 70 / Charlotte Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.40 one way
$46.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.70 | $51.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.81 | $57.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.05 | $66.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.9 | 0 | $15.72 | $7.19 |
| Efficient EV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.10 | $5.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.96 | $9.58 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Nashville, TN
Late night in Nashville on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Camden, TN
75 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
3h 2m 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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 149.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 153.6-mile route, meaning you'll be navigating a variety of road types rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With a 0% highway share on the main roads listed, your experience will be more about local connections and less about high-speed transit. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests frequent changes in direction and speed limits. This drive will likely feel dynamic as you transition between different local road segments on your way to Nashville.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near US 64.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 149.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 1.1 miles (US 64): Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Nashville, TN
Full guide →Nashville is the capital of the American state of Tennessee. With 716,000 residents in 2022, it is the state's largest city. Nashville is sometimes called the "Country Music Capital of the World" or more often "Music City, USA"; however, Nashville has done much to escape its country music image and become a regional center of culture and commerce. In fact, Dell, Nissan, and Amazon have all moved some operations to or near the city. The music is various; major rap artists and rock bands (Jelly Roll, Young Buck, Haystak, Kings of Leon, Paramore, and Ben Folds) claim Nashville as their hometown, and the city is also the epicenter of the contemporary Christian music industry. Nashville has been the home of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry since 1925. Nashville also has a great bar scene. If you like to drink, you can go "Honky-tonking," also known as bar-hopping.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 149.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.4 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 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 1.1 miles (US 64): Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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