Trip from Elizabethton, TN to Franklin, TN

Drive Time

5h 47m

Distance

310.1 mi

499 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 34m ★

6 AM

5h 48m

8 AM

6h 14m

10 AM

5h 57m

12 PM

5h 54m

3 PM

5h 58m

5 PM

6h 13m

8 PM

5h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Elizabethton, TN

Kelly

Franklin, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Elizabethton, TN to Franklin, TN covers 310.1 miles and takes about 5h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 207.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.10 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

155.1 miles from Elizabethton, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 47m highway drive covering 310.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 207.6 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 26 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 207.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Riverside Drive.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 310.1 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 0.1 miles (North Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 133.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Riverside Drive

Turn right onto North Riverside Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

133.9 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Nashville

288.8 mi into trip | ~5h 21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 213A Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...

292.2 mi into trip | ~5h 25m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5 Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville

307.1 mi into trip | ~5h 42m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Elizabethton, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.

Nashville

133.9 mi in | ~2h 34m | via I 40

Chattanooga

288.8 mi in | ~5h 21m

Huntsville

292.2 mi in | ~5h 25m

65: Huntsville

292.4 mi in | ~5h 26m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	207.6 mi	3h 45m
I 81	57.1 mi	1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway	15.1 mi	18m
I 65	14.1 mi	15m
West Elk Avenue	7.4 mi	12m
Murfreesboro Road	2.3 mi	3m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway	2.1 mi	2m
Broad Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 207.6 mi, about 3h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

32 ft · 1 sec · this road

Continue on East Elk Avenue

0.1 mi · 13 sec · East Elk Avenue

Turn right onto North Riverside Drive

286 ft · 12 sec · North Riverside Drive

Use the right lane.

Continue on East E Street

445 ft · 23 sec · East E Street

Turn right onto North Sycamore Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · North Sycamore Street

Turn left onto US 321; SR 67

0.6 mi · 1 min · Broad Street

Continue on US 321; SR 67

7.4 mi · 12 min · West Elk Avenue

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23

15 mi · 18 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec

Exit 8A Toward I 81 South: Knoxville

Merge onto I 81

56 mi · 1 hr · I 81

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81

Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40

Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 213A Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Exit 53 Toward I 440 West: Memphis

Continue on I 440

2.1 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Exit 5 Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Toward I 65 South: Huntsville

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 57 sec · this road

Exit 5 Toward 65: Huntsville

Merge onto I 65

14 mi · 15 min · I 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 65 Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto TN 96

2.3 mi · 3 min · Murfreesboro Road

Use the right lane.

Continue on TN 96

0.3 mi · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South

Use the straight / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96

397 ft · 6 sec · Public Square

Arrive at destination

US 31 Business; TN 96

Trip Plan

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 155.1 miles from Elizabethton, TN, or about 2h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.6 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 155.1 miles or 2h 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 44m

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 Elizabethton, 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 Elizabethton, TN

This is one driving day of about 310.1 miles and 5h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elizabethton, 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 207.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 155.1 mi from Elizabethton, TN · 2h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

155 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

Knoxville, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.1 miles from Elizabethton, 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 207.6 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.

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

$47.10 one way

$94.20 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$51.92	$103.85
premium	$4.80	$58.54	$117.08
diesel	$5.64	$68.89	$137.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	93	1	$32.56	$14.88
Efficient EV	77.5	0	$27.13	$12.40
EV Truck/SUV	124	1	$43.41	$19.85

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 12 hours ago

Origin

Elizabethton, TN

Afternoon in Elizabethton on Monday

Local time

3:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, TN

Afternoon in Franklin on Monday

Local time

2:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

155 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

6 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

5h 47m 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 Elizabethton, TN to Franklin, TN covers 310.1 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 155.1 miles from Elizabethton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.10 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.

Between Elizabethton, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Elizabethton, TN or browse trips ending in Franklin, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

Explore maps for Elizabethton, TN or Franklin, TN on MapSof.net.

Trip from Elizabethton, TN to Franklin, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Franklin, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Elizabethton, TN

Franklin, TN

1 hour earlier

6 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 47m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Franklin, TN

More from Elizabethton, TN

More trips to Franklin, TN