Origin
Franklin, TN
Afternoon in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, TN to Decherd, TN
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
73.9 mi
119 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, TN
Kelly
Decherd, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Franklin to Decherd, you are looking at a 73.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $11 on fuel, making it a very budget-friendly excursion within the Southeast region. You will primarily navigate via Murfreesboro Road, US 41A, and the Shelbyville Highway. It is a straightforward drive that serves as a practical connection between these two Tennessee towns, offering a consistent pace for travelers who prefer local roads over major interstates.
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
37 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Only 27% of this trip is spent on highways, so prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace compared to an interstate commute. You will experience your longest uninterrupted segment on the Shelbyville Highway, which stretches for 25.6 miles. The character of the road shifts as you transition between these local routes, requiring your full attention through the various turns. It is far from a monotonous highway grind, offering a more hands-on driving feel as you navigate the regional landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Shelbyville Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 25.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 3rd Avenue South.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 43m drive. You will face about 6 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 (3rd Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.2 miles (US 31A; US 41A / Horton Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (US 41A / Shelbyville Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
3rd Avenue South
Straight onto 3rd Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
13.2 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 31A; US 41A / Horton Highway
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A / Horton Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
16.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 41A / Shelbyville Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41A / Shelbyville Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
3
52.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
US 41A
Merge onto US 41A
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
73 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
SR 50 / West Main Street
Turn left onto SR 50 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Shelbyville Highway | 25.6 mi | 38m |
| US 41A | 20.3 mi | 24m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| Madison Street | 9.7 mi | 12m |
| Horton Highway | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| West Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Elm Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Shelbyville Highway
— 25.6 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Decherd, TN.
1
Start on US 31 Business; TN 96
418 ft
·
7 sec
·
Public Square
2
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on SR 96
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Horton Highway
Use the none lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41A
26 mi
·
38 min
·
Shelbyville Highway
6
Continue on US 41A
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Elm Street
7
Continue on US 41A
9.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Madison Street
8
Continue on UA 41A
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
UA 41A
9
Merge onto US 41A
20 mi
·
24 min
·
US 41A
10
Turn left onto SR 50
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
11
Turn left
330 ft
·
14 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for any major stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, even with the modest $11 estimate. Because the route relies heavily on local roads like US 41A, stay alert for changing speed limits as you pass through different zones. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, ensure your vehicle is comfortable for navigating curves rather than just cruising on straightaways. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your departure to avoid local peak traffic hours.
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 37 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.6 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 73.9 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37 miles or 55m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Decherd, 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 73.9 miles and 1h 43m.
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 Shelbyville Highway for about 25.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37 mi from Franklin, TN · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 73.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37 miles from Franklin, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Decherd, TN
The final approach into Decherd, 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 Decherd, 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
$11.22 one way
$22.45 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.37 | $24.75 |
| premium | $4.80 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.42 | $32.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.76 | $3.55 |
| Efficient EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.47 | $2.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.35 | $4.73 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Decherd, TN
Afternoon in Decherd on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
1 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
1h 43m 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 Decherd, TN covers 73.9 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Shelbyville Highway, US 41A, Murfreesboro Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37 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 $11.22 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 is a straightforward 1h 43m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (3rd Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.2 miles (US 31A; US 41A / Horton Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (US 41A / Shelbyville Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Franklin, TN to Decherd, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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