Three Way, TN to Murfreesboro, TN is 163.8 miles and takes about 3h 4m via I 40 and US 45W, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically within Tennessee, making it a straightforward local trip. With nearly all of the route on highways, expect a predominantly fast-paced journey. You'll likely find this route efficient for getting from point A to point B without significant detours or slower scenic byways, ideal for a quick transit.
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
81.9 miles from Three Way, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
95.6 mi
1h 42m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
US 45W
7.9 mi
10m
I 24
2.9 mi
3m
Old Fort Parkway
2 mi
3m
Sanders Road
0.4 mi
1m
Northwest Broad Street
0.2 mi
<1m
West Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 95.6 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Way, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on Sanders Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Sanders Road
2
Turn right onto US 45W
7.9 mi·10 min·US 45W
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 40; US 412
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 40; US 412
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
6
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi·3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 78BToward SR 96 East: MurfreesboroUse the right lane.
10
Turn straight onto SR 96
2.0 mi·3 min·Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·29 sec
12
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft·6 sec
13
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
0.2 mi·26 sec·Northwest Broad Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Main Street
15
Turn right onto South Maple Street
138 ft·4 sec·South Maple Street
16
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
467 ft·12 sec·South Public Square
17
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
47 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
18
Continue on East Main Street
347 ft·13 sec·East Main Street
19
Turn right onto South Spring Street
84 ft·3 sec·South Spring Street
20
Arrive at destination
South Spring Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 3 hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially during the longest stretch of 95.6 miles on I 40. While there's only one recommended stop, be aware that fuel availability can sometimes be more spaced out on interstates outside of major towns, so topping off when you see a good opportunity is a solid strategy.
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 81.9 miles from Three Way, TN, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.6 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.9 miles or 1h 31m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Three Way, 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 Three Way, TN
This is one driving day of about 163.8 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Three Way, 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 95.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 11.7
Jackson, Tennessee
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+19012203010
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 163.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 45W
Turn right onto US 45W
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.2 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
157.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
160.7 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
6
163.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.61 one way
$51.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.12
$56.23
premium
$4.89
$31.52
$63.04
diesel
$5.61
$36.16
$72.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.1
0
$17.20
$7.86
Efficient EV
41
0
$14.33
$6.55
EV Truck/SUV
65.5
0
$22.93
$10.48
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Three Way, TN
Late night
in Three Way on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Murfreesboro, TN
Late night
in Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
1 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 4m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 158.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 40 and US 45W. You'll experience long stretches of uninterrupted driving, including one segment of 95.6 miles on I 40 where you can maintain steady momentum. The character of the road is predominantly high-speed and efficient, designed for covering distance quickly. Expect a consistent driving experience without many changes in road type or speed limits, making it a predictable commute.
98% 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: 95.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 45W.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 163.8 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 0.4 miles (US 45W): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Three Way, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
104.1 mi in|~1h 55m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 163.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.6 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 Murfreesboro, 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 0.4 miles (US 45W): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Murfreesboro, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
