Trip from Bolivar, TN to Franklin, TN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 1m

Distance

151.8 mi

244 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

2h 50m ★

6 AM

3h 2m

8 AM

3h 25m

10 AM

3h 10m

12 PM

3h 7m

3 PM

3h 11m

5 PM

3h 23m

8 PM

2h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Bolivar, TN

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States

Franklin, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Bolivar, TN to Franklin, TN covers 151.8 miles and takes about 3h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, TN 18, State Highway 96 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.73 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

75.9 miles from Bolivar, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 151.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 1m highway drive covering 151.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and TN 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 95 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 19 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 95 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 18. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 27.3 miles in near US 45 Bypass / South Church Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 27.3 miles (US 45 Bypass / South Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 129.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.7 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

27.3 mi into trip | ~41m in | US 45 Bypass / South Church Street

Turn right onto US 45 Bypass / South Church Street

Navigation decision point

129.4 mi into trip | ~2h 33m 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

139.7 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | TN 96 / State Highway 96

Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

151.6 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | 3rd Avenue North

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

151.7 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

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 Bolivar, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.

Primary Sr 96: Fairview

129.4 mi in | ~2h 33m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	95 mi	1h 41m
TN 18	20.3 mi	30m
State Highway 96	11.8 mi	14m
Fairview Boulevard	5.2 mi	5m
Highway 96	4.8 mi	6m
Whitehall Street	4 mi	6m
South Highland Avenue	3.9 mi	6m
North Main Street	3.1 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 95 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bolivar, TN and Franklin, TN.

Start on SR 18; SR 125

3.1 mi · 4 min · North Main Street

Continue on TN 18

20 mi · 30 min · TN 18

Turn left onto US 45

3.3 mi · 5 min · South Highland Avenue

Continue on US 45

0.6 mi · 56 sec · South Highland Avenue

Turn right onto US 45 Bypass

492 ft · 8 sec · South Church Street

Turn right onto US 70

0.1 mi · 7 sec · South Cumberland Street

Merge onto US 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · East Chester Street

Turn right onto US 70

4.0 mi · 6 min · Whitehall Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 40

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 40

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin Use the right lane.

Turn left onto TN 96

4.8 mi · 6 min · Highway 96

Merge onto SR 96; SR 100

5.2 mi · 5 min · Fairview Boulevard

Take the exit

292 ft · 8 sec

Turn right onto TN 96

12 mi · 14 min · State Highway 96

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Bridge Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Bridge Street

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North

0.1 mi · 12 sec · 3rd Avenue North

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96

174 ft · 2 sec · Public Square

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 75.9 miles from Bolivar, TN, or about 1h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95 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 33 miles or 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 75.9 miles or 1h 35m 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 27m

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 Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, TN

This is one driving day of about 151.8 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Bolivar, 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 95 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 75.9 mi from Bolivar, TN · 1h 35m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dickson, TN

76 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.

Popular next leg

Dickson, TN to Franklin, TN

37 mi · 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Jackson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hohenwald, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.9 miles from Bolivar, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95 miles.

Arriving in Franklin, TN

The final approach into Franklin, 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 Franklin, TN.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

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 151.8

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.73 one way

$47.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$26.06	$52.11
premium	$4.89	$29.21	$58.43
diesel	$5.61	$33.52	$67.03

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	45.5	$15.94	$7.29
Efficient EV	38	$13.28	$6.07
EV Truck/SUV	60.7	$21.25	$9.72

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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

Bolivar, TN

Morning in Bolivar on Thursday

Local time

11:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, TN

Morning in Franklin on Thursday

Local time

11:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

24 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 1m 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 Bolivar, TN to Franklin, TN covers 151.8 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, TN 18, State Highway 96. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 75.9 miles from Bolivar, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

On the drive from Bolivar, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.

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Return Trip

Franklin, TN to Bolivar, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

151.9 mi 3h 1m

Explore more options from Bolivar, TN or browse trips ending in Franklin, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

Explore maps for Bolivar, TN or Franklin, TN on MapSof.net.

Trip from Bolivar, TN to Franklin, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Franklin, TN

National Parks Near This Route

Stones River National Battlefield

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bolivar, TN

Franklin, TN

Same local time

24 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 1m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Franklin, TN

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