Origin
Franklin, TN
Evening in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
5:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, TN to Dunlap, TN
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
109.4 mi
176 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, TN
Kelly
Dunlap, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Franklin to Dunlap, this 109.4-mile journey takes you through the heart of Southeast Tennessee. Expect to spend approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a one-day trip. You can comfortably budget around $16 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should plan for a steady pace rather than a high-speed cruise. It is a straightforward drive that connects two distinct local hubs without requiring an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your scheduling.
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
54.7 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes navigation over high-speed transit. You will be traveling primarily on 3rd Avenue South, Murfreesboro Road, and Horton Highway, with the route featuring a 0% highway share. Because the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is on 3rd Avenue South, you should anticipate frequent adjustments and a more technical driving experience than you would find on a standard interstate. This isn't a monotonous highway grind; instead, it is a hands-on trip that demands your focus on the winding local path. The road's personality is defined by its constant turns, keeping the drive engaging from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
3rd Avenue South is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Franklin, TN to Dunlap, TN is easy. At 2h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Franklin, TN to Dunlap, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Avenue South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Murfreesboro Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Horton Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 840 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 24 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 231 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Church Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
3rd Avenue South
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Dunlap, TN.
1
Start on Public Square
417 ft
·
7 sec
·
Public Square
2
Exit the rotary onto 3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
3
Continue on Murfreesboro Road
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
4
Turn right onto Horton Highway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Horton Highway
5
Take the ramp left toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 840 East: Murfreesboro
6
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
Merge slight left
6.2 mi
·
6 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 231 North: Murfreesboro
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 231 North: Murfreesboro
10
Merge slight left onto South Church Street
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Church Street
11
Turn right onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
South Rutherford Boulevard
12
Turn right onto John Bragg Highway
16 mi
·
18 min
·
John Bragg Highway
13
Continue on West Main Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
14
Continue on McMinnville Highway
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
McMinnville Highway
15
Continue on Nashville Highway
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Nashville Highway
16
Continue on West Main Street
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
17
Continue on West Main Street
308 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Main Street
18
Continue on West Main Street
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
West Main Street
19
Continue on East Main Street
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
East Main Street
20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Beersheba Highway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Beersheba Highway
21
Turn slight left onto Harrison Ferry Road
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Harrison Ferry Road
22
Continue on State Highway 8
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 8
23
At the end of the road, turn right
12 mi
·
16 min
24
Take the exit slight right
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
25
Turn straight onto Rankin Avenue
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Rankin Avenue
26
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart at your leisure without needing to worry about complex stopovers. Keep in mind that because you are sticking to local roads, you should factor in a little extra time for traffic signals and intersections compared to a typical highway route. Before heading out, ensure your vehicle is fueled up, as the $16 estimated cost is based on standard consumption for this 109-mile distance. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the transition from 3rd Avenue South onto the connecting highways early on, as the lack of major interstate segments means you will be navigating local signage throughout the entire journey.
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 54.7 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.7 miles or 1h 13m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunlap, 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 109.4 miles and 2h 26m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.7 mi from Franklin, TN · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.7 miles from Franklin, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dunlap, TN
The final approach into Dunlap, 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 Dunlap, 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
$16.62 one way
$33.23 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.32 | $36.64 |
| premium | $4.80 | $20.65 | $41.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.30 | $48.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.49 | $5.25 |
| Efficient EV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.57 | $4.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.32 | $7.00 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Dunlap, TN
Evening in Dunlap on Sunday
Local time
5:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
3 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 26m 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 Dunlap, TN covers 109.4 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 3rd Avenue South, Murfreesboro Road, Horton Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.7 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 $16.62 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.
The drive from Franklin, TN to Dunlap, TN is easy. At 2h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Franklin, TN to Dunlap, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Franklin, TN to Dunlap, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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