Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
151.9 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Bolivar, TN
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Franklin, TN to Bolivar, TN covers 151.9 miles and takes about 3h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Main Street, State Highway 96 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.75 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
76 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 151.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 3h 1m highway drive covering 151.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Main Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 94.6 miles on I 40.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Main Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 31 Business; TN 96 / Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 31 Business; TN 96 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (US 431 Business; TN 96 / 5th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Slight right onto US 31 Business; TN 96 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 431 Business; TN 96 / 5th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto TN 96 / State Highway 96
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto SR 96; SR 100
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 70, US 412 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 94.6 mi | 1h 41m |
| Main Street | 15.1 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 96 | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| US 70 | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| SR 96 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Bolivar Highway | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| South Highland Avenue | 4 mi | 6m |
| SR 18 | 3.1 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Bolivar, TN.
Start on US 31 Business; TN 96
Continue on US 31 Business; TN 96
Turn right onto US 431 Business; TN 96
Turn left onto TN 96
At end of road, turn left onto SR 96; SR 100
Take the exit onto TN 96
Continue on Highway 96
Take the exit
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 70
Turn left onto US 70
Turn left onto US 45
Turn right onto TN 18
Continue on TN 18
Continue on SR 18; SR 125
Arrive at destination
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.
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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 25m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bolivar, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Franklin, 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 Franklin, TN
This is one driving day of about 151.9 miles and 3h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76 mi from Franklin, TN · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76 miles from Franklin, 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 94.6 miles.
The final approach into Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.75 one way
$47.50 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.07 | $52.15 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.23 | $58.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.54 | $67.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.95 | $7.29 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.29 | $6.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.27 | $9.72 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Franklin on Friday
Local time
2:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Bolivar on Friday
Local time
2:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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