South Pittsburg, TN to Nashville, TN is 108.2 miles and takes about 2h 6m via I 24 and US 72, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily through the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey. Given the relatively short distance and time commitment, this route is ideal for a same-day trip, allowing you to reach Nashville with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.1 miles from South Pittsburg, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
69.1 mi
1h 14m
US 72
2.2 mi
2m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
0.9 mi
<1m
4th Avenue South
0.9 mi
1m
2nd Avenue South
0.9 mi
1m
Lafayette Street
0.7 mi
1m
8th Avenue South
0.3 mi
<1m
7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 69.1 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Pittsburg, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on this road
97 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·3rd Street
3
Turn left onto US 72
2.2 mi·2 min·US 72
4
Keep slight left at fork
31 mi·37 min
Toward US 64, I 24: NashvilleUse the left lane.
5
Continue on I 24
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 440
0.9 mi·59 sec·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 6Toward US 31 A, US 41 A: Nolensville PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
363 ft·6 sec·Nolensville Pike
Use the left / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 31A; US 41A
0.9 mi·1 min·4th Avenue South
11
Continue on US 31A; US 41A
0.2 mi·20 sec·Ensley Boulevard
12
Turn left onto US 31A; US 41A
0.9 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Turn slight left onto US 31A; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
0.7 mi·1 min·Lafayette Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
169 ft·2 sec·8th Avenue South
15
Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 70S
0.3 mi·40 sec·8th Avenue South
16
Continue on US 31; US 41; US 41A; US 431
0.2 mi·34 sec·Rosa L Parks Boulevard
17
Turn right onto Rosa L Parks Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Rosa L Parks Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
411 ft·15 sec·Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi·1 min·7th Avenue North
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving South Pittsburg in the morning will get you to Nashville well before evening. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but there are opportunities along I 24 for fuel and rest if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a likely exit is 69.1 miles on I 24. The $17 fuel cost estimate is quite manageable, making this an economical trip.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.1 miles from South Pittsburg, TN, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.1 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.1 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
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 South Pittsburg, 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 South Pittsburg, TN
This is one driving day of about 108.2 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from South Pittsburg, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 69.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 107.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 64, I 24: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 64, I 24: Nashville
7
102.5 mi into trip|~1h 55m 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
104.1 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
104.4 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
107.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
$16.92 one way
$33.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.57
$37.15
premium
$4.89
$20.82
$41.64
diesel
$5.61
$23.89
$47.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.5
0
$11.36
$5.19
Efficient EV
27.1
0
$9.47
$4.33
EV Truck/SUV
43.3
0
$15.15
$6.92
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
South Pittsburg, TN
Late night
in South Pittsburg on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nashville, TN
Late night
in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
29 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 6m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 67% of your travel on interstates and major highways. You'll spend a significant portion on I 24, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 69.1 miles. The drive transitions between I 24 and US 72, offering a mix of faster-paced travel. While largely highway-focused, expect some local road integration as you approach your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.1 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and US 72. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 108.2 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: at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.1 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 6m. Total distance: 108.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.1 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.1 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 Nashville, TN before heading back.
