Surgoinsville to Franklin is 271.3 miles and takes about 5 hours 6 minutes via I 40, US 11W, and West Main Street, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting the Southeast region of the state to another part of the Southeast. Given the duration and highway focus, this route is ideal for a single-day drive, getting you from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a straightforward transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
135.7 miles from Surgoinsville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
178.5 mi
3h 14m
US 11W
40.4 mi
46m
West Main Street
16.1 mi
19m
I 65
14.1 mi
15m
West Stone Drive
6.5 mi
7m
Rogersville Bypass
5.2 mi
5m
Murfreesboro Road
2.3 mi
3m
Appalachian Highway
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.5 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surgoinsville, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on SR 346
208 ft·9 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto Surgoinsville Creek Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Surgoinsville Creek Road
3
Turn slight left onto Nelhms Street
127 ft·5 sec·Nelhms Street
4
Turn left onto US 11W; SR 1
6.5 mi·7 min·West Stone Drive
5
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
5.2 mi·5 min·Rogersville Bypass
6
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
16 mi·19 min·West Main Street
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11W; SR 1
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 11W; SR 1
8
Merge onto US 11W; US 25E; SR 1; SR 32; ADHS S
2.2 mi·2 min·Appalachian Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11W
40 mi·45 min·US 11W
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
11
Merge onto I 40
24 mi·27 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 213AToward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: Memphis
15
Continue on I 440
2.1 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 5Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
18
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·57 sec·this road
Exit 5Toward 65: Huntsville
19
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 65Toward TN 96: Franklin, MurfreesboroUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right onto TN 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft·6 sec·Public Square
24
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 178.5 miles on I 40, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. With a total duration under 6 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $41, and it’s always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway portions.
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 135.7 miles from Surgoinsville, TN, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.5 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 60 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.7 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Surgoinsville, 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 Surgoinsville, TN
This is one driving day of about 271.3 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Surgoinsville, 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 178.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 95.1 and 268.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
95.1 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
7
250 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...
8
253.4 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
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 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
6
253.5 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
8
268.3 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.06 one way
$80.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.23
$88.46
premium
$4.72
$50.37
$100.74
diesel
$4.80
$51.23
$102.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.4
1
$28.49
$13.02
Efficient EV
67.8
0
$23.74
$10.85
EV Truck/SUV
108.5
1
$37.98
$17.36
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Surgoinsville, TN
Late night
in Surgoinsville on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:44AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Franklin, TN
Late night
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
1:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog
WSW 0 to 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:44AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 233.9
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 37.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 178.5 miles on I 40, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface streets, specifically US 11W and West Main Street, will likely involve a change in traffic patterns and more frequent intersections as you approach your destination. Expect denser exit activity on the interstate segments.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 11W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.1 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 271.3 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 95.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,973 ft525 ft
Total Climb
1,269 ft
Total Descent
1,760 ft
Highest Point
1,973 ft
~155 mi in
Elevation Range
1,448 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Surgoinsville, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.
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.
Top landmarks
•Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 — masonic temple in Franklin, United States of America
•Carter House — Tennessee state-owned historic site
•Toussaint L'Overture County Cemetery — historic cemetery in Tennessee, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 271.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Franklin, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 95.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 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 and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Franklin, TN before the return drive.
