Origin
Dickson, TN
Night in Dickson on Sunday
Local time
9:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
47m
Distance
37 mi
60 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dickson, TN
Kelly
Franklin, TN
Kelly
If you are looking to travel between Dickson and Franklin, Tennessee, this 37-mile drive is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 47 minutes. Since the entire trip is easily manageable in a single day, you will not need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel, making this a very budget-friendly transit across the Southeast region. You will primarily utilize a combination of I-40, Fairview Boulevard, and State Highway 96 to complete the connection. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this route offers a practical, efficient path between these two Tennessee locales.
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
18.5 miles from Dickson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
This 37-mile trek is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of your time spent on major roads. You will experience a blend of interstate travel and state highway cruising as you transition between Dickson and Franklin. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 11.8-mile segment along State Highway 96, which allows for consistent pacing. Because the vast majority of the route is highway-based, you can anticipate a steady and predictable driving experience. It serves as a functional link that favors speed and efficiency over winding local backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 96 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near SR 46.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 37 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 0.6 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto SR 46
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Dickson, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.
Primary Sr 96: Fairview
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 96 | 11.8 mi | 14m |
| I 40 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| Fairview Boulevard | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Highway 96 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| SR 46 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| West College Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bridge Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dickson, TN and Franklin, TN.
Start on US 70 Business
Turn right onto SR 46
Take the exit
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto TN 96
Merge onto SR 96; SR 100
Take the exit
Turn right onto TN 96
Continue on Bridge Street
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
Arrive at destination
Because this is a short, 47-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the trip requires zero mandatory stops, you can easily navigate the 37 miles in one go without needing to plan for long breaks or rest areas. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is quite low at just $6, so you shouldn't need to stress about refueling mid-trip. To make the most of your travel, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic on I-40 to ensure you maintain that estimated 47-minute duration. Use the 11.8-mile stretch on State Highway 96 as a reliable benchmark for your progress as you approach Franklin.
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.
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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.5 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dickson, 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 Dickson, TN
This is one driving day of about 37 miles and 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.5 mi from Dickson, TN · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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.
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18.5 miles from Dickson, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$5.62 one way
$11.24 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.20 | $12.39 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.98 | $13.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.22 | $16.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| Efficient EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.24 | $1.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Dickson on Sunday
Local time
9:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
9:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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