Trip from Franklin, TN to Clinton, TN

Drive Time

3h 38m

Distance

189.4 mi

305 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 26m ★

6 AM

3h 38m

8 AM

4h 3m

10 AM

3h 47m

12 PM

3h 44m

3 PM

3h 48m

5 PM

4h 2m

8 PM

3h 31m

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

Clinton, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 189.4 miles across the Southeast, this drive from Franklin to Clinton, Tennessee, is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 38 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within the same region, you will experience a consistent cultural feel as you transition between these two Tennessee towns. Budgeting approximately $29 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trek. While it is certainly feasible to complete this distance in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the local roads suggests you should plan for a full day of travel. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this route is best handled as a direct trip without the need for an overnight stay.

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

94.7 miles from Franklin, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a departure from the typical highway-heavy commute, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a turn-heavy local drive that begins on 3rd Avenue South and Murfreesboro Road before transitioning through local connections. Because you are avoiding the interstate, the experience behind the wheel is more technical and requires constant attention compared to a standard cruise-control drive on I-440. The road's personality is defined by its winding local character rather than long, monotonous stretches of pavement. Be prepared to navigate through changing road conditions as you progress from the Franklin area toward your destination in Clinton.

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

There are about 27 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 134.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,994 ft 476 ft

Total Climb

1,799 ft

Total Descent

1,621 ft

Highest Point

1,994 ft

~118.4 mi in

Elevation Range

1,518 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 189.4 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit

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

Use the left lane.

17.5 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

19.9 mi into trip | ~24m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville

20.4 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxvil...

21 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52B Toward I 40 East: Knoxville

Towns Along This Route

Between Franklin, TN and Clinton, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga and Rockwood.

Knoxville

17.2 mi in | ~20m

Chattanooga

17.5 mi in | ~21m

Rockwood

155.7 mi in | ~2h 52m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	134.4 mi	2h 25m
I 65	14.1 mi	15m
Harriman Highway	9.6 mi	10m
Oliver Springs Highway	7.1 mi	12m
US 27	6.8 mi	7m
West Tri County Boulevard	4.6 mi	5m
Murfreesboro Road	2.4 mi	3m
South Charles G Seivers Boulevard	2.2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 134.4 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Clinton, 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

2.4 mi · 3 min · Murfreesboro Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 65

14 mi · 15 min · I 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 80 Toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 440

2.0 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 24

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 24

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 52B Toward I 40 East: Knoxville Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 40

134 mi · 2 hr 25 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood

Keep slight right at fork

335 ft · 8 sec

Merge onto US 27

6.8 mi · 7 min · US 27

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61

9.6 mi · 10 min · Harriman Highway

Continue on SR 61

4.6 mi · 5 min · West Tri County Boulevard

Turn left onto SR 61

7.1 mi · 12 min · Oliver Springs Highway

At end of road, turn left onto TN 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Oak Ridge Turnpike

Continue on TN 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Oak Ridge Highway

Continue on TN 61

384 ft · 6 sec · South Charles G Seivers Boulevard

Continue on TN 61

0.4 mi · 41 sec · South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard

Continue on SR 61

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Charles G Seivers Boulevard

Turn left onto US 25W

0.5 mi · 50 sec · South Main Street

Turn right onto Market Street

135 ft · 7 sec · Market Street

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3 hour and 38 minute transit, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak local traffic on the secondary roads. You should plan for at least one stop during the 189.4-mile journey to stretch your legs, as the constant turning can be more fatiguing than interstate driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as local road driving can sometimes lead to inconsistent consumption compared to highway cruising. Since this is a one-day trip, embrace the flexibility of the route by taking your time through the turns. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the local road segments before you leave, as the lack of highway miles means you will be relying on local navigation throughout the entire trip.

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 94.7 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 1h 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.4 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94.7 miles or 1h 46m 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, 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 189.4 miles and 3h 38m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 134.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94.7 mi from Franklin, TN · 1h 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

95 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

Johnson, 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 94.7 miles from Franklin, 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 134.4 miles.

Arriving in Clinton, TN

The final approach into Clinton, 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 Clinton, 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

$28.77 one way

$57.54 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$31.71	$63.43
premium	$4.80	$35.75	$71.51
diesel	$5.64	$42.08	$84.16

Estimated Tolls: $0.08

Oak Ridge Turnpike (1.1 mi) $0.08

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.8	$19.89	$9.09
Efficient EV	47.4	$16.57	$7.58
EV Truck/SUV	75.8	$26.52	$12.12

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 3 days ago

Origin

Franklin, TN

Evening in Franklin on Sunday

Local time

7:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clinton, TN

Evening in Clinton on Sunday

Local time

8:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

95 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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

2 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

3h 38m 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 Clinton, TN covers 189.4 miles and takes about 3h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 65, Harriman Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 94.7 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 $28.77 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Franklin, TN and Clinton, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga and Rockwood.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 476 ft to 1,994 ft elevation with about 1,799 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Clinton, TN to Franklin, TN

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190.1 mi 3h 1m

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Trip from Franklin, TN to Clinton, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

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 Clinton, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Franklin, TN

Clinton, TN

1 hour later

2 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 38m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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