Origin
Tennessee Ridge, TN
Late night in Tennessee Ridge on Sunday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tennessee Ridge, TN to Nashville, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
78.6 mi
126 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tennessee Ridge, TN
Kelly
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Driving from Tennessee Ridge to Nashville covers 78.8 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as you will likely only spend a modest $12 on fuel. You will navigate through the Southeast region, transitioning from the quiet outskirts of Tennessee Ridge toward the bustling environment of Nashville. Because the drive is relatively short, you do not need to worry about splitting the journey into multiple days. It serves as a straightforward connection between two points in Tennessee, making it an efficient choice for those looking to reach the capital without an exhausting trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Tennessee Ridge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 37.1 mi | 40m |
| Cumberland City Highway | 22.1 mi | 33m |
| North Main Street | 6.3 mi | 11m |
| Ashland City Road | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| TN 76 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 13 | 2 mi | 3m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Cumberland Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 37.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tennessee Ridge, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on School Street
102 ft
·
10 sec
·
School Street
2
Turn left onto SR 147
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
3
Continue on SR 49
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
North Main Street
4
Turn left onto Cumberland City Highway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland City Highway
5
At end of road, turn left onto SR 149
22 mi
·
31 min
·
Cumberland City Highway
6
At end of road, turn left onto TN 13; TN 48
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 13
7
Continue on TN 13; TN 48
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Drive
8
Turn right onto US 41A Bypass
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Ashland City Road
9
Continue on TN 76
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
TN 76
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
11
Merge onto I 24
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on I 24
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 24
Exit 86
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, Knoxville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on Interstate Drive
374 ft
·
6 sec
·
Interstate Drive
16
Turn right onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes less than two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 78.8-mile distance without needing any planned stops for fuel or rest. However, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads requires your full attention, so avoid scheduling this drive during peak fatigue hours if possible. Budgeting $12 for fuel is a safe estimate, but it is always wise to fill up before leaving Tennessee Ridge to avoid local price fluctuations. Use the lack of highway miles to your advantage by pacing yourself comfortably through the winding sections of Highway 13.
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 39.3 miles from Tennessee Ridge, TN, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.1 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 17 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 59m 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 29m
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 Tennessee Ridge, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tennessee Ridge, TN
This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Tennessee Ridge, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 37.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from Tennessee Ridge, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 40 and 78 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
40 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
73.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
8
77.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
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 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
6
78 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
78 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m 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
$12.29 one way
$24.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.49 | $26.98 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.13 | $30.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.35 | $34.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.25 | $3.77 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.88 | $3.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.4 | 0 | $11.00 | $5.03 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 Sunday
Local time
5:23 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
8 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
1h 45m 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.
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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 78.6
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 rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via North Main Street, Cumberland City Highway, and Highway 13, keeping your focus engaged throughout the journey. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on North Main Street, highlighting the winding, local nature of the road. Because you are avoiding major interstates, the character of the drive remains consistent and rural for much of the way. Prepare to handle frequent turns and local traffic patterns as you transition from the smaller roads toward Nashville.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.1 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 40 miles in near I 24.
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 78.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 40 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.1 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 1h 45m. Total distance: 78.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). 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 37.1 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 40 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Donelson National Battlefield and 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.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Nashville, TN
More from Tennessee Ridge, TN
More trips to Nashville, TN
Explore more options from Tennessee Ridge, TN or browse trips ending in Nashville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.