Origin
Alexandria, TN
Night in Alexandria on Friday
Local time
10:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, TN to Nashville, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
48.7 mi
78 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Alexandria, TN to Nashville, TN is 48.7 miles and takes about 1h 4m via I 40 and Sparta Pike, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Tennessee, making it a simple hop between two points in the Southeast region. Expect a generally highway-focused experience that’s perfect for a quick trip. Given its short distance and manageable duration, it's an ideal option if you need to get from Alexandria to Nashville without a significant time commitment.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 48.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 61% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 40. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 28.4 miles on I 40, offering a consistent pace. The route incorporates parts of Sparta Pike and the Downtown Loop as you approach Nashville, which may introduce more local traffic or varied road conditions. Overall, it's a drive that balances efficient highway travel with a touch of local road navigation as you reach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Sparta Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.6 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 43.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
43.6 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
45.7 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
8
47.2 mi into trip
|
~59m 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 right lane.
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
6
48.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
48.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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.
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 Alexandria, TN to Nashville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
45.7 mi in
|
~57m
|
via I 24
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 28.4 mi | 31m |
| Sparta Pike | 15.4 mi | 21m |
| Downtown Loop | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Nashville Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Locust Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 24 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 28.4 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on West Main Street
53 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto High Street
192 ft
·
6 sec
·
High Street
3
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Spring Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto Locust Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Locust Street
5
Turn right onto US 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Nashville Highway
6
Continue on US 70
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Sparta Pike
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
8
Merge onto I 40
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Use the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
15
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.
16
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
17
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.3 mi from Alexandria, TN · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.3 miles from Alexandria, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Nashville, TN
The final approach into Nashville, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.61 one way
$15.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.36 | $16.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.37 | $18.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.75 | $21.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Night in Nashville on Friday
Local time
10:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Lebanon, TN
24 mi in
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
22 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
1h 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alexandria, TN to Nashville, TN covers 48.7 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Sparta Pike, Downtown Loop. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.3 miles from Alexandria, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.61 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.7 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Alexandria, TN to Nashville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. 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 trips to Nashville, TN
Explore more options from Alexandria, TN or browse trips ending in Nashville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.