Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
43.2 mi
69 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shelbyville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Shelbyville, TN to Franklin, TN is 43.2 miles and takes about 1h 5m via Union Street/Murfreesboro Road/Horton Highway, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically in Tennessee, offering a straightforward local journey. It's a short trip, making it ideal for a day excursion or an easy transfer between towns. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct connection without extensive highway mileage, keeping your travel time and fuel costs low.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Union Street | 25.6 mi | 38m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| Horton Highway | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Lane Parkway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Spring Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Public Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Public Square North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Shelbyville, TN and Franklin, TN.
Start on Public Square North
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Turn left onto SR 64; SR 130
Turn left onto US 41A
Turn straight onto US 31A; US 41A
Turn left onto SR 96
Continue on TN 96
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.6 miles from Shelbyville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
4 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 43.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 41A / Union Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto SR 96 / Murfreesboro Road
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$6.75 one way
$13.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.42 | $14.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.31 | $16.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.54 | $2.07 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.78 | $1.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.05 | $2.76 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Shelbyville on Sunday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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.
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only a 20% highway share. You'll encounter a significant amount of local road navigation, so be prepared for frequent turns and changes in speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 25.6 miles on Union Street, offering a brief period of more consistent driving before transitioning back to local roads. Expect a driving experience that feels more connected to the communities you're passing through rather than a high-speed transit.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Spring Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Shelbyville, TN to Franklin, TN is easy. At 1h 5m with 2% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 41A / Union Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.9 miles (SR 96 / Murfreesboro Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville. There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 43.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Shelbyville, TN or browse trips ending in Franklin, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
