Origin
Tusculum, TN
Late night in Tusculum on Saturday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tusculum, TN to Franklin, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
269.5 mi
434 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tusculum, TN
Kelly
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Tusculum, TN to Franklin, TN covers 269.5 miles and takes about 4h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 81, East Andrew Johnson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 207.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.78 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
134.8 miles from Tusculum, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 207.6 mi | 3h 45m |
| I 81 | 22.7 mi | 24m |
| East Andrew Johnson Highway | 16.5 mi | 19m |
| I 65 | 14.1 mi | 15m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Erwin Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 207.6 mi, about 3h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tusculum, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on Sam Doak Drive
132 ft
·
7 sec
·
Sam Doak Drive
2
Turn straight onto Erwin Highway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Erwin Highway
3
Turn left onto US 11E; US 321
17 mi
·
19 min
·
East Andrew Johnson Highway
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
5
Merge onto I 81
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 81
6
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
7
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 53
Toward I 440 West: Memphis
11
Continue on I 440
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
this road
Exit 5
Toward 65: Huntsville
15
Merge onto I 65
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto TN 96
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft
·
6 sec
·
Public Square
20
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
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 134.8 miles from Tusculum, TN, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.6 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.8 miles or 2h 30m 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 3m
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 Tusculum, 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 Tusculum, TN
This is one driving day of about 269.5 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Tusculum, 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 207.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.8 miles from Tusculum, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 207.6 miles.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 93.3 and 266.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
93.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
248.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m 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
251.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m 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
251.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
8
266.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 54m 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
$41.78 one way
$83.57 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $45.82 | $91.63 |
| premium | $4.93 | $52.29 | $104.57 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $59.41 | $118.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.9 | 0 | $28.30 | $12.94 |
| Efficient EV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.58 | $10.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.8 | 1 | $37.73 | $17.25 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Franklin, TN
Late night in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
4h 58m 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 232.3
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 55.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
269.5 mi in 4h 58m, mostly highway — 207.6 mi of that is on I 40.
92% 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: 207.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 93.3 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 12 significant decision points across 269.5 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 93.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.6 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
1,914 ft
530 ft
Total Climb
1,249 ft
Total Descent
2,086 ft
Highest Point
1,914 ft
~153.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,384 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tusculum, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.
Nashville
93.3 mi in
|
~1h 46m
|
via I 40
Chattanooga
248.2 mi in
|
~4h 32m
Huntsville
251.6 mi in
|
~4h 37m
65: Huntsville
251.8 mi in
|
~4h 37m
About the Cities
Starting in Tusculum, TN
Full guide →Founded 1959
Arriving in Franklin, TN
Full guide →Founded 1799
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 269.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 207.6 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 93.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.6 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 Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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