Origin
Clifton, TN
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, TN to Franklin, TN
Drive Time
2h 9m
Distance
97.7 mi
157 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, TN
Kelly
Franklin, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Clifton to Franklin, Tennessee, you are looking at a straightforward 97.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes. This trip sits entirely within the Southeast region, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You should budget roughly $15 for fuel to complete the drive, which is manageable for most travelers. Because the transit time is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra plans at your destination. It is a practical, efficient route that connects these two Tennessee locations without unnecessary complexity.
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
48.9 miles from Clifton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive that transitions between local roads and faster highway segments. You will spend about 37% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of the Waynesboro Highway, US 412, and I-65. While the majority of the trip involves navigating local infrastructure, you will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 18.7 miles once you merge onto I-65. This change in road type requires you to shift from a more relaxed pace on state roads to the steady, higher-speed flow of the interstate. Overall, the experience offers a balanced variety of driving conditions that keeps the journey from feeling monotonous.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in near TN 228 / Beech Creek Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 97.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 7 miles (TN 228 / Beech Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 61.4 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 75.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
TN 228 / Beech Creek Road
At end of road, turn right onto TN 228 / Beech Creek Road
Navigation decision point
5
61.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
US 412
Take the exit onto US 412
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
75.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
75.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
94.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
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 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 18.7 mi | 20m |
| Waynesboro Highway | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| US 412 | 14.1 mi | 16m |
| Hampshire Pike | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Columbia Highway | 13 mi | 16m |
| Morrison Creek Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| Beech Creek Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 13 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 18.7 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on SR 128
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Water Street
2
Continue on TN 128
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Linden Highway
3
Turn right onto TN 228
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Morrison Creek Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto TN 228
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Beech Creek Road
5
Continue on TN 228
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Smith Branch Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto TN 13
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 13
7
Continue on TN 13
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Waynesboro Highway
8
Continue on TN 13
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 13
9
Turn right onto SR 48
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Waynesboro Highway
10
Continue on SR 48
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Park Street
11
Turn right onto US 412
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
12
Continue on US 412
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Columbia Highway
13
Continue on US 412
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampshire Pike
14
Take the exit onto US 412
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 412
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
14 mi
·
16 min
·
US 412
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
17
Merge onto I 65
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 65
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto Murfreesboro Road
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft
·
6 sec
·
Public Square
22
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. You can easily head out in the morning or afternoon without feeling rushed, as there are no mandated stops required to complete the 97.7-mile distance comfortably. However, keep in mind that the transition from the Waynesboro Highway to the interstate environment means you should stay alert for changing traffic patterns. It is a good idea to fuel up before you leave Clifton to ensure you stay within your $15 estimate and avoid needing to stop unnecessarily. Take advantage of the short drive time to enjoy a stress-free transition between these two Tennessee towns.
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 48.9 miles from Clifton, TN, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.7 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.9 miles or 1h 12m 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 49m
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 Clifton, 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 Clifton, TN
This is one driving day of about 97.7 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clifton, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 18.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.9 mi from Clifton, TN · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 48.9 miles from Clifton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.84 one way
$29.68 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.36 | $32.72 |
| premium | $4.80 | $18.44 | $36.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.71 | $43.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.26 | $4.69 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.55 | $3.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.68 | $6.25 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Evening in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 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 9m 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 Clifton, TN to Franklin, TN covers 97.7 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Waynesboro Highway, US 412. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.9 miles from Clifton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.84 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 97.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 7 miles (TN 228 / Beech Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 61.4 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 75.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Clifton, TN to Franklin, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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