Trip from Franklin, TN to Clifton, TN

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

97.7 mi

157 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 0m ★

6 AM

2h 9m

8 AM

2h 28m

10 AM

2h 16m

12 PM

2h 14m

3 PM

2h 17m

5 PM

2h 27m

8 PM

2h 4m

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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Franklin, TN

Kelly

Clifton, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from Franklin to Clifton, you are in for a 97.7-mile journey through the Tennessee countryside. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including I-65, Bear Creek Pike, and Hampshire Pike, to reach your destination. Budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar landscape throughout the transit. It is a straightforward trek that offers a nice balance of highway efficiency and local road navigation for those wanting to explore more of the state.

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

48.8 miles from Franklin, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a shift in driving style as you move from the interstate to local routes. With only 27% of the trip spent on highways, this drive is defined by its turn-heavy local roads rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 18.9 miles while traveling on I-65 before transitioning to the more technical sections of the route. Once you leave the interstate, be prepared for a more engaged driving experience that requires your full attention on the curves and turns of Bear Creek and Hampshire Pikes. This transition provides a distinct contrast, moving from the fast-paced flow of the highway into the winding character of local Tennessee roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 97.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

2.8 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 65 South: Birmingham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 65 South: Birmingham

3 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

21.9 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill

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

Exit 46 Toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill

22.1 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 412: Columbia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 46 Toward 412: Columbia

64.5 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | SR 20; SR 48 / South Park Street

Turn left onto SR 20; SR 48 / South Park Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

Between Franklin, TN and Clifton, TN, road signs point toward 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill and 412: Columbia.

99: Columbia

21.9 mi in | ~25m

Chapel Hill

21.9 mi in | ~25m

412: Columbia

22.1 mi in | ~25m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 65	18.9 mi	20m
Bear Creek Pike	13.8 mi	15m
Hampshire Pike	13.3 mi	15m
Columbia Highway	13 mi	16m
Waynesboro Highway	12.3 mi	18m
Morrison Creek Road	5 mi	8m
Beech Creek Road	4.6 mi	8m
State Highway 13	3.6 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 65 — 18.9 mi, about 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 31 Business; TN 96

418 ft · 7 sec · Public Square

Continue on 3rd Avenue South

0.3 mi · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on SR 96

2.3 mi · 3 min · Murfreesboro Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 65 South: Birmingham Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 65

19 mi · 20 min · I 65

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Exit 46 Toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill

Keep slight right at fork

162 ft · 4 sec

Exit 46 Toward 412: Columbia

Turn right onto US 412

14 mi · 15 min · Bear Creek Pike

Turn left onto US 412

0.3 mi · 41 sec · US 412

Turn left onto US 412

13 mi · 15 min · Hampshire Pike

Continue on US 412

13 mi · 16 min · Columbia Highway

Continue on US 412

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

Turn left onto SR 20; SR 48

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Park Street

Continue on TN 48

10 mi · 15 min · Waynesboro Highway

Continue on SR 48

3.4 mi · 5 min · SR 48

At end of road, turn left onto TN 13

3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 13

Continue on TN 13

2.0 mi · 2 min · Waynesboro Highway

Continue on TN 13

0.1 mi · 12 sec · State Highway 13

Turn right onto TN 228

1.5 mi · 2 min · Smith Branch Road

Continue on TN 228

4.6 mi · 8 min · Beech Creek Road

Turn left onto SR 228

5.0 mi · 8 min · Morrison Creek Road

At end of road, turn left onto TN 128

1.0 mi · 1 min · Linden Highway

Continue on TN 128

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Water Street

Arrive at destination

SR 128

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you should plan to fuel up before you hit the road to ensure your $15 budget covers the entire 97.7-mile journey without any interruptions. Pay close attention to your navigation when transitioning off I-65, as the shift to local roads happens quickly. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time in Clifton. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is a smart move, as the turn-heavy nature of the latter half of the drive may consume fuel differently than the initial highway stretch.

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 48.8 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.9 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 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.8 miles or 56m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, 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 97.7 miles and 2h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Franklin, TN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 18.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 48.8 mi from Franklin, TN · 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mount Carmel, TN

49 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

Mount Carmel, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Mount Carmel, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.8 miles from Franklin, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clifton, TN

The final approach into Clifton, 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 Clifton, TN.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.84 one way

$29.68 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$16.36	$32.72
premium	$4.80	$18.44	$36.89
diesel	$5.64	$21.71	$43.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	29.3	$10.26	$4.69
Efficient EV	24.4	$8.55	$3.91
EV Truck/SUV	39.1	$13.68	$6.25

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Franklin, TN

Evening in Franklin on Sunday

Local time

6:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clifton, TN

Evening in Clifton on Sunday

Local time

6:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°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

20 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 9m 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 Franklin, TN to Clifton, TN covers 97.7 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 65, Bear Creek Pike, Hampshire Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 48.8 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 $14.84 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.

Between Franklin, TN and Clifton, TN, road signs point toward 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill and 412: Columbia.

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Return Trip

Clifton, TN to Franklin, TN

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97.7 mi 2h 9m

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Trip from Franklin, TN to Clifton, 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 Clifton, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Franklin, TN

Clifton, TN

Same local time

20 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 9m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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