Skip to main content

Trip from Centerville, TN to Nashville, TN

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

1h 18m

Distance

60.7 mi

98 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 12m ★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m

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

Downtown Centerville, TN, TN

Centerville, TN

Kelly

capital and largest city of Tennessee, United States

Nashville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Centerville to Nashville, you are looking at a straightforward 60.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it connects two points within Tennessee’s Southeast region without requiring an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the drive is highly economical and efficient. You will rely primarily on a combination of I-40, State Highway 100, and State Highway 46 to complete the transit. Given the short duration, this trip offers great flexibility, allowing you to easily handle business or personal errands in the city and return home by evening.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

30.4 miles from Centerville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive that is heavily focused on highway travel, with 95% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. The journey features a mix of fast-paced interstate segments and local state highway transitions. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-40, which includes the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 34.8 miles. While the highway-focused profile ensures a consistent pace, the transition between the state roads and the interstate requires steady attention. You should feel prepared for a direct, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and efficiency over secondary backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 34.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and State Highway 100. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

7
23.8 mi into trip | ~35m in

Take the exit

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

Use the right lane.
5
24.1 mi into trip | ~36m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

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

Use the straight lane.
9
58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
8
59.7 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Take the exit toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 209 Toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Stre...
7
59.9 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | US 70 / Charlotte Avenue

Turn left onto US 70 / Charlotte Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 34.8 mi 37m
State Highway 100 16.9 mi 26m
State HWY 46 3.8 mi 5m
State Highway 46 2.6 mi 3m
North Central Avenue 0.6 mi <1m
Downtown Loop 0.6 mi <1m
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard 0.5 mi 1m
7th Avenue North 0.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 34.8 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Centerville, TN and Nashville, TN.

1

Start on SR 48; SR 100

21 ft · 0 sec · West Public Square
2

Continue on SR 48; SR 100

0.6 mi · 56 sec · North Central Avenue
3

Continue on TN 48; TN 100

17 mi · 26 min · State Highway 100
4

Turn left onto TN 46

2.6 mi · 3 min · State Highway 46
5

Continue on SR 46

3.8 mi · 5 min · State HWY 46
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto I 40

35 mi · 37 min · I 40
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 40; I 65

0.6 mi · 47 sec · Downtown Loop
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 209 Toward US 70: Charlotte Avenue, Demonbreun Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on 12th Avenue North

200 ft · 12 sec · 12th Avenue North
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Turn left onto US 70

329 ft · 7 sec · Charlotte Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
13

Continue on Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
14

Turn left onto 7th Avenue North

0.2 mi · 1 min · 7th Avenue North
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive of just over an hour, you have plenty of freedom regarding your departure time. However, because the route is almost entirely highway-based, be mindful of peak traffic hours when merging onto I-40. There are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 60.7-mile trek, meaning you can easily complete the entire distance in one go. Keep your fuel level checked before leaving Centerville, as the $9 estimate assumes you are starting with a full tank or refueling efficiently along the way. Your best strategy is to maintain a steady speed during the 34.8-mile interstate stretch to keep your travel time within the 1-hour and 18-minute window.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 30.4 miles from Centerville, TN, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.8 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 13 miles or 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 30.4 miles or 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 6m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Centerville, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Centerville, TN

This is one driving day of about 60.7 miles and 1h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Centerville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 34.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30.4 mi from Centerville, TN · 43m into the drive

Downtown Burns, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Burns, TN

30 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

Burns, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

White Bluff, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.4 miles from Centerville, 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

$9.49 one way

$18.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $10.42 $20.84
premium $4.89 $11.68 $23.36
diesel $5.61 $13.40 $26.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.2 0 $6.37 $2.91
Efficient EV 15.2 0 $5.31 $2.43
EV Truck/SUV 24.3 0 $8.50 $3.88

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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

Centerville, TN

Evening in Centerville on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Nashville, TN

Evening in Nashville on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

76°F

Burns, TN

30 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

1 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

1h 18m 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 Centerville, TN to Nashville, TN covers 60.7 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, State Highway 100, State HWY 46. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.4 miles from Centerville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.49 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 60.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Centerville, TN to Nashville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Centerville, TN or browse trips ending in Nashville, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

Explore maps for Centerville, TN or Nashville, TN on MapSof.net.