Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Late night in Chattanooga on Wednesday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Franklin, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 34m
Distance
132 mi
212 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 25m
★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Chattanooga, TN to Franklin, TN? This 132-mile drive typically takes about 2 hours and 34 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day excursion. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, with an estimated fuel cost of around $21. The route stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward journey through Tennessee. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this drive is ideal for a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stop.
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
66 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the 132 miles on interstates and parkways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 104.9 miles primarily on I-24, offering a consistent pace. While predominantly highway, the route also incorporates sections of Murfreesboro Road and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, which may offer a slight change in scenery and speed. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes direct travel over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 104.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Murfreesboro Road. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 132 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
106.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
8
117.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
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 42
Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
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 Chattanooga, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lewisburg along the way.
Lewisburg
117.7 mi in
|
~2h 13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 104.9 mi | 1h 57m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 10.3 mi | 10m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Horton Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Martin Luther King Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Public Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on TN 8
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto US 27
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 27
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 24
105 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 840
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 42
Toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Horton Highway
10
Turn left onto SR 96
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft
·
6 sec
·
Public Square
13
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 34-minute drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Franklin with ample time to explore. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $21, you have a lot of flexibility. The longest continuous stretch on I-24 is over 100 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you hit that portion. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the Nashville metropolitan area, which can impact your arrival time.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 miles or 1h 14m 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 2m
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 Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, TN
This is one driving day of about 132 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chattanooga, 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 24 for about 104.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66 miles from Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.9 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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.64 one way
$41.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.66 | $45.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.40 | $50.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.14 | $58.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.86 | $6.34 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.55 | $5.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.48 | $8.45 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Franklin, TN
Night in Franklin on Tuesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 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
2h 34m 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 Chattanooga, TN to Franklin, TN covers 132 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Murfreesboro Road, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66 miles from Chattanooga, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.64 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 132 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lewisburg along the way.
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