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Trip from City of Murfreesboro, TN to Watertown, TN

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

3h 49m

Distance

194.2 mi

313 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 37m ★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m

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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Downtown City of Murfreesboro, TN, TN

City of Murfreesboro, TN

Kelly

city in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States

Watertown, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 194.2-mile drive from Murfreesboro, TN, to Watertown, TN, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 49 minutes. Primarily following I-40, with segments on Lamar Alexander Parkway and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, the route is 95% highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. The journey stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward travel experience. Given its duration and highway focus, it's an efficient way to get from point A to point B without needing an overnight stay.

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

97.1 miles from City of Murfreesboro, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this route, with 95% of the 194.2 miles on major roadways like I-40. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 128.2 miles on I-40, allowing for consistent speed. While Lamar Alexander Parkway and Tennessee National Guard Parkway offer slight variations, the overall personality is that of efficient travel. This isn't a winding, scenic byway but rather a direct path designed for covering distance smoothly. The drive is largely predictable, making it easy to settle into a rhythm behind the wheel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 128.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Lamar Alexander Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 194.2 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 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
6 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway

Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
26.9 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 76A Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
8
155.8 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in

Take the exit toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 364 Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...
10
156.1 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge

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

Use the right lane. Exit 364 Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between City of Murfreesboro, TN and Watertown, TN, road signs point toward Lebanon and Oak Ridge.

Lebanon

26.9 mi in | ~33m

Oak Ridge

155.8 mi in | ~2h 53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 128.2 mi 2h 18m
Lamar Alexander Parkway 26.9 mi 36m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway 20.9 mi 22m
East Lamar Alexander Parkway 9 mi 13m
Northwest Broad Street 3.4 mi 5m
East Millers Cove Road 1.9 mi 4m
New Nashville Highway 0.9 mi 1m
Golf Lane 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 128.2 mi, about 2h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Murfreesboro, TN and Watertown, TN.

1

Start on Golf Lane

0.4 mi · 1 min · Golf Lane
2

Turn left onto SR 96

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Old Fort Parkway
3

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 29 sec
4

Keep slight left at fork

182 ft · 9 sec
5

Turn left onto US 41; US 70S

3.4 mi · 5 min · Northwest Broad Street
6

Continue on US 41; US 70S

0.9 mi · 1 min · New Nashville Highway
7

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville
8

Merge onto I 840

21 mi · 22 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 76A Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 40

128 mi · 2 hr 18 min · I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Exit 364 Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

150 ft · 2 sec
Exit 364 Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge Use the right lane.
13

Merge onto US 321

27 mi · 36 min · Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 321

9.0 mi · 13 min · East Lamar Alexander Parkway
15

Turn left onto Old Walland Highway

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Old Walland Highway
16

Turn left onto East Millers Cove Road

1.9 mi · 4 min · East Millers Cove Road
17

Turn right

33 ft · 2 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given this is a 3 hour and 49 minute drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Watertown with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop on this 194.2-mile journey, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Factor in the $30 fuel cost, ensuring you're topped up before heading out. The longest stretch is a considerable 128.2 miles on I-40, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps before embarking on that long segment. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, as services can be spaced out on longer highway stretches.

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 97.1 miles from City of Murfreesboro, TN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.2 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 97.1 miles or 1h 50m 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 58m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving City of Murfreesboro, 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 City of Murfreesboro, TN

This is one driving day of about 194.2 miles and 3h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from City of Murfreesboro, 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 128.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 97.1 mi from City of Murfreesboro, TN · 1h 50m into the drive

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

97 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

Johnson, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.1 miles from City of Murfreesboro, 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 128.2 miles.

Arriving in Watertown, TN

The final approach into Watertown, 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 Watertown, 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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free near mile 194.2
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.36 one way

$60.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.34 $66.67
premium $4.89 $37.37 $74.74
diesel $5.61 $42.88 $85.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.3 0 $20.39 $9.32
Efficient EV 48.6 0 $16.99 $7.77
EV Truck/SUV 77.7 0 $27.19 $12.43

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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 5 days ago

Origin

City of Murfreesboro, TN

Night in City of Murfreesboro on Tuesday

Local time

9:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Watertown, TN

Night in Watertown on Tuesday

Local time

10:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

Johnson, TN

97 mi in

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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

13 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 49m 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 City of Murfreesboro, TN to Watertown, TN covers 194.2 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Lamar Alexander Parkway, 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 97.1 miles from City of Murfreesboro, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.36 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 194.2 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 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between City of Murfreesboro, TN and Watertown, TN, road signs point toward Lebanon and Oak Ridge.

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