Union City to Franklin is 163.7 miles and takes about 3h 17m via I 40 and TN 22, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The profile is highway-focused, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster roads. It's a straightforward, single-day trip that's easy to plan for. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient journey between these two points without complex navigation.
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 Union City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
73.7 mi
1h 19m
TN 22
58.6 mi
1h 13m
State Highway 96
11.8 mi
14m
Fairview Boulevard
5.2 mi
5m
Highway 96
4.8 mi
6m
SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi
3m
Lexington Street
1.9 mi
3m
Nailling Drive
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 73.7 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on East Church Street
74 ft·7 sec·East Church Street
2
Turn right onto TN 5; TN 21
0.1 mi·20 sec·South 1st Street
3
Continue on SR 21
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
4
Turn straight onto SR 214
1.9 mi·3 min·Nailling Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward TN 22 South
6
Merge onto TN 22
15 mi·16 min·TN 22
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 22
31 mi·41 min·TN 22
Toward TN 22 South: Dresden
8
Continue on SR 22 Business
390 ft·9 sec·SR 22 Business
9
Turn right onto US 70A
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Drive North
10
Turn left onto SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi·3 min·SR 22 Bypass
11
Turn right onto Lexington Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Lexington Street
12
Turn right onto TN 22
6.5 mi·8 min·TN 22
13
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lexington Clarksburg Road
14
Continue on TN 22
5.4 mi·7 min·TN 22
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
16
Merge onto I 40
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 40
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, FranklinUse the right lane.
18
Turn left onto TN 96
4.8 mi·6 min·Highway 96
19
Merge onto SR 96; SR 100
5.2 mi·5 min·Fairview Boulevard
20
Take the exit
292 ft·8 sec
21
Turn right onto TN 96
12 mi·14 min·State Highway 96
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on Bridge Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Bridge Street
23
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
0.1 mi·12 sec·3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
174 ft·2 sec·Public Square
25
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 3 hours, this is a perfect one-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Franklin. The longest stretch without a major turn is 73.7 miles on I 40, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get onto that segment. Given the relatively short distance and the $26 estimated fuel cost, you won't need extensive planning for rest areas or multiple fill-ups.
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 Union City, TN, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.7 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.9 miles or 1h 45m 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 41m
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 City, 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 City, TN
This is one driving day of about 163.7 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Union City, 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 73.7 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 0 and 163.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street
Turn right onto TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward TN 22 South
Navigation decision point
Toward TN 22 South
7
67.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexing...
7
141.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
7
163.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.59 one way
$51.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.10
$56.20
premium
$4.89
$31.50
$63.01
diesel
$5.61
$36.14
$72.29
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
$17.19
$7.86
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
EV Truck/SUV
65.5
0
$22.92
$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
Union City, TN
Night
in Union City on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, TN
Night
in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
7 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 17m 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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 163.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major highways like I 40 and State Highway 96. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 73.7 miles on I 40, offering extended periods of consistent speed. While primarily highway, the inclusion of TN 22 and State Highway 96 suggests you might experience some transitions to state-maintained roads, though the overall feel remains geared towards efficient travel. Expect a generally smooth ride with ample opportunities to maintain a good pace.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 22. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street.
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 163.7 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 67.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 City, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon and Primary Sr 96: Fairview.
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 17m. Total distance: 163.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m 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 73.7 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: near the start (TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 67.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
