Trip from Charlotte, TN to Franklin, TN

Q: How long is the trip from Charlotte, TN to Franklin, TN?

The drive from Charlotte, TN to Franklin, TN covers 41.5 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are State Highway 96, SR 47, SR 96. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 20.7 miles from Charlotte, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Charlotte, TN to Franklin, TN?

The route from Charlotte, TN to Franklin, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Q: Are there national parks near the route from Charlotte, TN to Franklin, TN?

Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

57m

Distance

41.5 mi

67 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min

4 AM

0h 53m ★

6 AM

0h 58m

8 AM

1h 7m

10 AM

1h 1m

12 PM

1h 0m

3 PM

1h 2m

5 PM

1h 7m

8 PM

0h 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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Trip Overview

This 41.5-mile drive from Charlotte to Franklin, Tennessee, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under an hour, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate State Highway 96 and SR 47, with about 72% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $6, so you won't need to worry about breaking the bank on gas. Since there are no recommended overnight stops and the drive is short, you have a lot of flexibility in planning your departure time. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent driving experience.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 41.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a drive-focused experience, with a substantial 72% of the 41.5 miles taking place on highways. State Highway 96 will be your main companion for much of this journey, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 11.8 miles. While predominantly highway, the route incorporates other state roads, offering a varied but generally efficient pace. The character is less about winding scenic byways and more about making good time between your starting point in Charlotte and your destination in Franklin.

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.

State Highway 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 96 and SR 47. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 49 / Spring 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 57m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 49 / Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.1 miles (US 70 / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.4 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

4

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 49 / Spring Street

Turn left onto SR 49 / Spring Street

Navigation decision point

5

10.1 mi into trip | ~15m in | US 70 / Broadway Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 70 / Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

5

29.4 mi into trip | ~42m in | TN 96 / State Highway 96

Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

7

41.3 mi into trip | ~57m in | 3rd Avenue North

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

5

41.5 mi into trip | ~57m 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
State Highway 96	11.8 mi	14m
SR 47	9.5 mi	14m
SR 96	5.4 mi	7m
Fairview Boulevard	5.2 mi	5m
White Bluff Road	5.2 mi	8m
TN 96	2.7 mi	3m
Broadway Street	0.8 mi	1m
SR 48	0.5 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: State Highway 96 — 11.8 mi, about 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Spencer Alley

32 ft · 6 sec · Spencer Alley

2

Turn left onto SR 49

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Spring Street

3

Turn left onto SR 48

0.5 mi · 47 sec · SR 48

4

Turn left onto SR 47

9.5 mi · 14 min · SR 47

5

At end of road, turn left onto US 70

0.8 mi · 1 min · Broadway Street

6

Turn right onto CR 1847

5.2 mi · 8 min · White Bluff Road

7

At end of road, turn left onto SR 96

5.4 mi · 7 min · SR 96

8

Continue on TN 96

2.7 mi · 3 min · TN 96

9

Merge onto SR 96; SR 100

5.2 mi · 5 min · Fairview Boulevard

10

Take the exit

292 ft · 8 sec

11

Turn right onto TN 96

12 mi · 14 min · State Highway 96

Use the straight lane.

12

Continue on Bridge Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Bridge Street

13

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North

0.1 mi · 12 sec · 3rd Avenue North

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

14

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96

174 ft · 2 sec · Public Square

15

Arrive at destination

US 31 Business; TN 96

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.7 mi from Charlotte, TN · 31m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kingston Springs, TN

21 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

Thompson's Station, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kingston Springs, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.7 miles from Charlotte, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Franklin, TN

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Franklin, TN if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.49 one way

$12.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$7.12	$14.25
premium	$4.89	$7.99	$15.97
diesel	$5.61	$9.16	$18.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	12.5	$4.36	$1.99
Efficient EV	10.4	$3.63	$1.66
EV Truck/SUV	16.6	$5.81	$2.66

Gas CO2

15 kg

EV CO2

5 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

Charlotte, TN

Afternoon in Charlotte on Thursday

Local time

12:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, TN

Afternoon in Franklin on Thursday

Local time

12:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

57m 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