Union, TN to Franklin, TN is 171.9 miles and takes about 3h 30m via I 24, I 75, and Murfreesboro Road, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, specifically within Tennessee, making it a straightforward journey. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, so expect a relatively efficient drive. With a recommended one-day duration and a manageable fuel cost, this route is a practical option for a quick trip between these two points.
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
85.9 miles from Union, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
111.9 mi
2h 6m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
Murfreesboro Road
12.8 mi
19m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10.3 mi
10m
Spring Place Road Southeast
8.4 mi
14m
Appalachian Highway
5.4 mi
6m
Hughes Lake Road Southeast
1.3 mi
3m
Horton Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 111.9 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on Hughes Lake Road Southeast
1.3 mi·3 min·Hughes Lake Road Southeast
2
Turn slight left onto SR 74
8.4 mi·14 min·Spring Place Road Southeast
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
4
Merge onto US 74; US 64 Bypass; TN 60
5.4 mi·6 min·Appalachian Highway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 24
112 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 840
10 mi·10 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·46 sec
Exit 42Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, LewisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
0.5 mi·57 sec·Horton Highway
13
Turn left onto SR 96
13 mi·19 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft·6 sec·Public Square
16
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 30-minute duration, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. The longest stretch on I 24 is over 111 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. While there's only one suggested stop, you'll find ample opportunities for breaks along the interstate system as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before getting onto the longer stretches of highway.
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 85.9 miles from Union, TN, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 38 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.9 miles or 1h 46m 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 49m
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 Union, 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 Union, TN
This is one driving day of about 171.9 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Union, 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 24 for about 111.9 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 15.3 and 157.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
15.3 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
15.6 mi into trip|~25m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
34 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
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.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
146.6 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
8
157.7 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
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 42
Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.87 one way
$53.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.51
$59.01
premium
$4.89
$33.08
$66.16
diesel
$5.61
$37.95
$75.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.6
0
$18.05
$8.25
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.04
$6.88
EV Truck/SUV
68.8
0
$24.07
$11.00
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 17, 2026
Origin
Union, TN
Morning
in Union on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, TN
Morning
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
9:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph7% chanceLive 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
10 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
3h 30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 142.3
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 82% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I 24 and I 75. You'll experience a significant stretch of 111.9 miles on I 24 without needing to exit, allowing for consistent speed and progress. While primarily interstate, the route also incorporates segments of Murfreesboro Road, which might offer a slight change of pace as you approach your destination. Overall, anticipate a driving experience characterized by efficient travel on well-maintained highways.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.9 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 75. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.3 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 171.9 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 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Lewisburg.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 171.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.9 miles on I 24. 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 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
