Origin
Dandridge, TN
Afternoon in Dandridge on Sunday
Local time
4:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dandridge, TN to Hendersonville, TN
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
212.5 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dandridge, TN
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Traveling from Dandridge to Hendersonville covers 212.5 miles across the heart of Tennessee. You can expect a drive time of approximately 4 hours and 3 minutes, making this a straightforward journey that easily fits into a single day of travel. With a fuel budget of roughly $32, the trip remains an affordable way to cross the state. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising toward your destination in the Nashville area. It is a practical transit route that avoids the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to reach Hendersonville by the end of your day. Whether you are heading west for business or a visit, this efficient path through the Southeast region keeps your travel logistics simple and predictable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
106.3 miles from Dandridge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 94% of your journey takes place on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40, which accounts for a massive 182.8-mile stretch of the drive. This creates a consistent, interstate-focused experience that allows you to cover ground quickly. As you transition off the interstate, you will navigate via SR 109 and Nashville Pike to reach your final destination. While the highway sections provide a steady rhythm, the final leg introduces a shift toward local roads that bring you into the Hendersonville area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 182.8 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 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 212.5 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 4.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~7m 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
51 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
7
187.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m 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
187.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m in
|
SR 109
Turn right onto SR 109
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
202.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Dandridge, TN to Hendersonville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
51 mi in
|
~59m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 182.8 mi | 3h 19m |
| SR 109 | 14.8 mi | 20m |
| Nashville Pike | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| US 25W | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| East Main Street | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Gallatin Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Meeting Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Chestnut Hill Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 182.8 mi, about 3h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dandridge, TN and Hendersonville, TN.
1
Start on East Main Street
74 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn right onto SR 92
525 ft
·
16 sec
·
Chestnut Hill Road
3
Turn left onto US 25W; US 70; SR 92
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Meeting Street
4
Turn left onto US 25W; US 70
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 25W; US 70
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
47 mi
·
52 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
136 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 232
Toward TN 109: Gallatin
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto SR 109
13 mi
·
18 min
·
SR 109
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto SR 109
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 109
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 31E: Gallatin, Hendersonville
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto US 31E
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Nashville Pike
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on US 31E
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Gallatin Road
Use the left / none lanes.
15
Continue on US 31E
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto Walton Ferry Road
53 ft
·
1 sec
·
Walton Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Walton Ferry Road
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the vast majority of your time is spent on I-40, be prepared for potential congestion as you approach the Nashville area via SR 109 and Nashville Pike. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near your destination. Keep your $32 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops along the interstate, as service availability is most consistent during that 182.8-mile stretch. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule without worrying about an overnight commitment.
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 106.3 miles from Dandridge, TN, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.8 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 106.3 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
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 Dandridge, 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 Dandridge, TN
This is one driving day of about 212.5 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dandridge, 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 182.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.3 mi from Dandridge, TN · 1h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 106.3 miles from Dandridge, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.8 miles.
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.
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
$32.28 one way
$64.55 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.58 | $71.16 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.12 | $80.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.21 | $94.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.31 | $10.20 |
| Efficient EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.59 | $8.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85 | 1 | $29.75 | $13.60 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Afternoon in Hendersonville on Sunday
Local time
3:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
106 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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
4h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dandridge, TN to Hendersonville, TN covers 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 3m 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 106.3 miles from Dandridge, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.28 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 212.5 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 4.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Dandridge, TN to Hendersonville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
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