Origin
Cookeville, TN
Evening in Cookeville on Sunday
Local time
8:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cookeville, TN to Hendersonville, TN
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
81.7 mi
131 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cookeville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Connecting Cookeville to Hendersonville, this 81.7-mile journey typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers in the Southeast. The route primarily utilizes I-40, SR 109, and Nashville Pike to bridge the distance between these two Tennessee communities. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it an efficient way to navigate the region.
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
40.9 miles from Cookeville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 83% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. The journey features a significant 53.4-mile stretch along I-40, which serves as the primary artery for the first portion of your trip. As you transition off the interstate and onto SR 109 and Nashville Pike, the road character shifts from high-speed transit to local highway driving. This mix ensures you spend the majority of your 1 hour and 40 minutes maintaining a steady pace. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and directness 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 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 53.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and SR 109. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near I 40.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.6 miles (SR 109): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
56.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward TN 109: Gallatin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 232
Toward TN 109: Gallatin
5
56.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
SR 109
Turn right onto SR 109
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
69.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
SR 109
Turn left onto SR 109
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
71.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 53.4 mi | 57m |
| SR 109 | 14.8 mi | 20m |
| Nashville Pike | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| East Main Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| South Willow Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Gallatin Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Spring Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Dixie Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 53.4 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cookeville, TN and Hendersonville, TN.
1
Start on South Dixie Avenue
270 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Dixie Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 70N
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Spring Street
3
Turn left onto SR 135
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Willow Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 232
Toward TN 109: Gallatin
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn right onto SR 109
13 mi
·
18 min
·
SR 109
Use the none lane.
8
Turn left onto SR 109
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 109
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto US 31E
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Nashville Pike
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Gallatin Road
Use the left / none lanes.
13
Continue on US 31E
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto Walton Ferry Road
53 ft
·
1 sec
·
Walton Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
Walton Ferry Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with no designated stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows. Keep in mind that traffic patterns often fluctuate on major routes like I-40, so checking real-time conditions before you head out is a smart move. Because the drive is under two hours, you likely won't need to plan for lengthy rest breaks, allowing you to reach Hendersonville without interruption. With a modest $12 fuel budget, it is easy to keep your travel costs predictable. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from the high-speed I-40 corridor to the secondary highways, as speed limits and road environments change quickly.
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 40.9 miles from Cookeville, TN, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.4 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.9 miles or 46m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendersonville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cookeville, 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 Cookeville, TN
This is one driving day of about 81.7 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cookeville, 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 40 for about 53.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.9 mi from Cookeville, TN · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 40.9 miles from Cookeville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hendersonville, TN
The final approach into Hendersonville, 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 Hendersonville, 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
$12.41 one way
$24.82 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.68 | $27.36 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.42 | $30.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.15 | $36.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.58 | $3.92 |
| Efficient EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.15 | $3.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.44 | $5.23 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Hendersonville, TN
Evening in Hendersonville on Sunday
Local time
8:51 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
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 40m 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 Cookeville, TN to Hendersonville, TN covers 81.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, SR 109, Nashville Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.9 miles from Cookeville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.41 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 81.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.6 miles (SR 109): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cookeville, TN to Hendersonville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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