Trip from Dresden, TN to Franklin, TN

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 48m

Distance

140.3 mi

226 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 37m ★

6 AM

2h 48m

8 AM

3h 10m

10 AM

2h 56m

12 PM

2h 53m

3 PM

2h 57m

5 PM

3h 9m

8 PM

2h 41m

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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Dresden, TN

Niklas Jeromin

city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States

Franklin, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Dresden, TN to Franklin, TN covers 140.3 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, State Highway 22, TN 22 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.7 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.93 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

70.2 miles from Dresden, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 2h 48m highway drive covering 140.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and State Highway 22. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.7 miles on I 40.

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

There are about 23 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 73.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and State Highway 22. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 44 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 140.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 44 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.2 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

44 mi into trip | ~1h in

Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon

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

Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexing...

118 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

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

Use the right lane. Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin

128.2 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | TN 96 / State Highway 96

Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

140.2 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | 3rd Avenue North

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

140.3 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Dresden, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon and Primary Sr 96: Fairview.

Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad

44 mi in | ~1h

Lexington

44 mi in | ~1h

Huntingdon

44 mi in | ~1h

Primary Sr 96: Fairview

118 mi in | ~2h 19m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	73.7 mi	1h 19m
State Highway 22	25.1 mi	32m
TN 22	12 mi	16m
State Highway 96	11.8 mi	14m
Fairview Boulevard	5.2 mi	5m
Highway 96	4.8 mi	6m
SR 22 Bypass	2.1 mi	3m
Lexington Street	1.9 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 73.7 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dresden, TN and Franklin, TN.

Start on South Wilson Street

89 ft · 6 sec · South Wilson Street

Turn left onto TN 54; TN 89

0.1 mi · 15 sec · West Main Street

Turn left onto TN 54; TN 89

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Pikeview Street

Turn straight onto TN 54

0.7 mi · 1 min · Morrow Avenue

Turn left onto TN 22

25 mi · 32 min · State Highway 22

Continue on SR 22 Business

390 ft · 9 sec · SR 22 Business

Turn right onto US 70A

1.5 mi · 2 min · Veterans Drive North

Turn left onto SR 22 Bypass

2.1 mi · 3 min · SR 22 Bypass

Turn right onto Lexington Street

1.9 mi · 3 min · Lexington Street

Turn right onto TN 22

6.5 mi · 8 min · TN 22

Continue on SR 22; SR 424

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Lexington Clarksburg Road

Continue on TN 22

5.4 mi · 7 min · TN 22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon

Merge onto I 40

74 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 40

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin Use the right lane.

Turn left onto TN 96

4.8 mi · 6 min · Highway 96

Merge onto SR 96; SR 100

5.2 mi · 5 min · Fairview Boulevard

Take the exit

292 ft · 8 sec

Turn right onto TN 96

12 mi · 14 min · State Highway 96

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Bridge Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Bridge Street

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North

0.1 mi · 12 sec · 3rd Avenue North

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96

174 ft · 2 sec · Public Square

Arrive at destination

US 31 Business; TN 96

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 70.2 miles from Dresden, TN, or about 1h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.7 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 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.2 miles or 1h 28m 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 16m

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 Dresden, 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 Dresden, TN

This is one driving day of about 140.3 miles and 2h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dresden, 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 73.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 70.2 mi from Dresden, TN · 1h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clarksville, TN

70 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

Clarksville, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Clarksville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.2 miles from Dresden, 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 73.7 miles.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 140.3

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.93 one way

$43.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$24.08	$48.17
premium	$4.89	$27.00	$54.00
diesel	$5.61	$30.98	$61.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	42.1	$14.73	$6.73
Efficient EV	35.1	$12.28	$5.61
EV Truck/SUV	56.1	$19.64	$8.98

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% 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

Dresden, TN

Night in Dresden on Tuesday

Local time

9:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, TN

Night in Franklin on Tuesday

Local time

9:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°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

8 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

2h 48m 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 Dresden, TN to Franklin, TN covers 140.3 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, State Highway 22, TN 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 70.2 miles from Dresden, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.93 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Dresden, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon and Primary Sr 96: Fairview.

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Trip from Dresden, TN to Franklin, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Franklin, TN

National Parks Near This Route

Stones River National Battlefield

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dresden, TN

Franklin, TN

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 48m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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