Origin
Franklin, TN
Afternoon in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
1:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, TN to Chapel Hill, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
115.7 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Chapel Hill, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 115.7-mile drive from Franklin, Tennessee to Chapel Hill, Tennessee is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of the journey on major roads, making it a straightforward transit. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this is an economical option for a quick getaway within the Southeast region. The drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly without extensive stops. Consider this a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.8 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 73.4 mi | 1h 18m |
| TN 22 | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 96 | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| SR 200 | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| SR 96 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Highway 96 | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| TN 96 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Lexington Bypass | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 73.4 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Chapel Hill, TN.
1
Start on US 31 Business; TN 96
324 ft
·
5 sec
·
Public Square
2
Continue on US 31 Business; TN 96
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto US 431 Business; TN 96
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
5th Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto TN 96
12 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 96
Use the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto SR 96; SR 100
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 96; SR 100
6
Take the exit onto TN 96
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
TN 96
7
Continue on Highway 96
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 96
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
9
Merge onto I 40
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 40
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
11
Turn left onto SR 22
387 ft
·
5 sec
·
SR 22
12
Continue on TN 22
12 mi
·
17 min
·
TN 22
13
Turn right onto SR 459
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Bypass
14
Turn left onto SR 200
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
SR 200
15
Turn left onto Joe Horton Road
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Joe Horton Road
16
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 2.5 hours, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart Franklin, TN, at your leisure, perhaps after morning rush hour. The longest stretch is 73.4 miles on I-40, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. With a fuel cost around $18, it's an inexpensive journey, but always check your gauge before hitting the road. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you can choose your own resting points, but be mindful of the 98% highway share, which means fewer immediate services off the main roads.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.8 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.4 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.8 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chapel Hill, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 115.7 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Franklin, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 73.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.8 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 73.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 96.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 31 Business; TN 96 / Main Street
Slight right onto US 31 Business; TN 96 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 431 Business; TN 96 / 5th Avenue North
Turn right onto US 431 Business; TN 96 / 5th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TN 96 / State Highway 96
Turn left onto TN 96 / State Highway 96
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
12.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
SR 96; SR 100
At end of road, turn left onto SR 96; SR 100
Navigation decision point
5
96.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexin...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.09 one way
$36.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.86 | $39.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.27 | $44.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.55 | $51.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.55 |
| Efficient EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.12 | $4.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.20 | $7.40 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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
Chapel Hill, TN
Afternoon in Chapel Hill on Saturday
Local time
1:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
31 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
2h 19m 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.
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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of your travel time spent on major roads like I-40 and TN-22. The journey offers a significant uninterrupted stretch of 73.4 miles on I-40, allowing for consistent speed and forward progress. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of State Highway 96 introduces a slight variation in the driving environment as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining momentum is key, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours.
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 73.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 22. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 31 Business; TN 96 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 115.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin, TN and Chapel Hill, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington and Huntingdon.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads
96.1 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Lexington
96.1 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Huntingdon
96.1 mi in
|
~1h 47m
About the Cities
Starting in Franklin, TN
Full guide →Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville. There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 115.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Franklin, TN to Chapel Hill, TN covers 115.7 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, TN 22, State Highway 96. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.8 miles from Franklin, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.09 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 115.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 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.
Between Franklin, TN and Chapel Hill, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington and Huntingdon.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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