Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
173.4 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
The drive from Athens, TN to Hendersonville, TN covers 173.4 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North White Street, East Madison Avenue, Green Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.74 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
86.7 miles from Athens, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 9m drive with frequent turns across 173.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North White Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Madison Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Green Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ingleside Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John J Duncan Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Clearwater Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Watts Bar Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Athens, TN and Hendersonville, TN.
Start on Washington Avenue
Turn left onto North White Street
Turn left onto East Madison Avenue
Turn left onto Green Street
Turn slight right onto Ingleside Avenue
Continue on John J Duncan Parkway
Continue on Clearwater Road
At the end of the road, turn left
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Turn slight right
Continue on Watts Bar Highway
Turn right onto New Lake Road
Continue on Piccadilly Avenue
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
At the end of the road, turn right onto Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
Continue on Wassom Memorial Highway
Turn straight
Take the exit left
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward TN 109: Gallatin
Turn right
Turn left
Take the exit slight right toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Turn right onto Nashville Pike
Continue on East Main Street
Continue on Gallatin Road
Continue on East Main Street
Turn left onto Walton Ferry Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 34m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendersonville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Athens, 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 Athens, TN
This is one driving day of about 173.4 miles and 3h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.7 mi from Athens, TN · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.7 miles from Athens, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Hendersonville, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hendersonville, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.74 one way
$51.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.03 | $58.07 |
| premium | $4.65 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $36.21 | $72.42 |
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: 60.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.32 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.17 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.28 | $11.10 |
Gas CO2
61 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Athens on Saturday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Hendersonville on Saturday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
87 mi in
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Athens, TN or browse trips ending in Hendersonville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
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