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Trip from Brighton, TN to Murfreesboro, TN

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 8m

Distance

209.7 mi

338 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 56m ★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m

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

Downtown Brighton, TN, TN

Brighton, TN

Kelly

city in Tennessee, United States of America

Murfreesboro, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Brighton, TN to Murfreesboro, TN covers 209.7 miles and takes about 4h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, State Route 54 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 110.2 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.78 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

104.9 miles from Brighton, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 4h 8m highway drive covering 209.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 110.2 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 29 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 110.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Old Highway 51.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 209.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Old Highway 51): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.1 miles (US 51): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 203 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Old Highway 51

Turn sharp right onto Old Highway 51

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 51

Merge onto US 51

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
203 mi into trip | ~3h 57m in

Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
206.7 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in

Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 78B Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
6
209.1 mi into trip | ~4h 7m in | US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street

Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

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 Brighton, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.

Franklin

150 mi in | ~2h 59m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 110.2 mi 1h 58m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway 52.2 mi 55m
State Route 54 21.7 mi 32m
East Main Street 9.8 mi 14m
US 51 6.5 mi 10m
I 24 2.9 mi 3m
Old Fort Parkway 2 mi 3m
Old Highway 51 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 110.2 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brighton, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.

1

Start on East Kenwood Avenue

0.3 mi · 48 sec · East Kenwood Avenue
2

Turn sharp right onto Old Highway 51

0.6 mi · 1 min · Old Highway 51
3

Continue on Old State Route 51

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Old State Route 51
4

Merge onto US 51

4.8 mi · 7 min · US 51
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on US 51; TN 59

1.7 mi · 3 min · US 51; TN 59
6

Turn right onto TN 54

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West Pleasant Avenue
7

Turn left onto TN 54

302 ft · 7 sec · South Maple Street
8

Turn right onto TN 54

0.4 mi · 33 sec · East Liberty Avenue
9

Continue on TN 54

22 mi · 32 min · State Route 54
10

Enter roundabout onto East Main Street

392 ft · 7 sec · East Main Street
11

Continue on East Main Street

9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
12

Turn left

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 66 Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
13

Merge onto I 40

110 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
15

Merge onto I 840

52 mi · 55 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 24

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 78B Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro Use the right lane.
19

Turn straight onto SR 96

2.0 mi · 3 min · Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 29 sec
21

Keep slight right at fork

181 ft · 6 sec
22

Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Northwest Broad Street
Use the right lane.
23

Turn left onto West Main Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Main Street
24

Turn right onto South Maple Street

138 ft · 4 sec · South Maple Street
25

Turn slight left onto South Public Square

467 ft · 12 sec · South Public Square
26

Turn slight right onto East Main Street

47 ft · 1 sec · East Main Street
27

Continue on East Main Street

347 ft · 13 sec · East Main Street
28

Turn right onto South Spring Street

84 ft · 3 sec · South Spring Street
29

Arrive at destination

South Spring Street

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 104.9 miles from Brighton, TN, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 104.9 miles or 2h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Brighton, 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 Brighton, TN

This is one driving day of about 209.7 miles and 4h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brighton, 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 110.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 104.9 mi from Brighton, TN · 2h 11m into the drive

city in Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clarksville, TN

105 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

Clarksville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clarksville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 104.9 miles from Brighton, 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 110.2 miles.

Arriving in Murfreesboro, TN

The final approach into Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, TN.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

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 ~8 min detour Free near mile 209.7
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.78 one way

$65.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.00 $71.99
premium $4.89 $40.35 $80.71
diesel $5.61 $46.30 $92.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.9 0 $22.02 $10.07
Efficient EV 52.4 0 $18.35 $8.39
EV Truck/SUV 83.9 1 $29.36 $13.42

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

25 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Brighton, TN

Night in Brighton on Tuesday

Local time

10:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Murfreesboro, TN

Night in Murfreesboro on Tuesday

Local time

10:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Partly Cloudy

SSW 5 to 10 mph 3% chance 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

3 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

4h 8m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Brighton, TN to Murfreesboro, TN covers 209.7 miles and takes about 4h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, State Route 54. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 104.9 miles from Brighton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.78 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 209.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Old Highway 51): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.1 miles (US 51): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 203 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Brighton, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.

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