Origin
Franklin, TN
Late night in Franklin on Friday
Local time
12:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 52m
Distance
142.4 mi
229 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Fairmount, TN
Kelly
This 142.4-mile journey from Franklin, TN to Fairmount, TN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 52 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-24 and Murfreesboro Road, with a significant portion, 82%, being on highways, making it a straightforward drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll be staying within the Southeast region and the state of Tennessee for the entire duration. This highway-focused drive is a practical choice for a quick excursion, allowing ample time to enjoy your destination without feeling rushed.
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
71.2 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 142.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 82% of the drive taking place on faster roads like I-24. The majority of your time will be spent on I-24, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 103.1 miles. While much of the drive is on main arteries, you'll also encounter segments on Murfreesboro Road and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, offering a slight variation in scenery and speed. This road's personality is defined by efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination smoothly.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Murfreesboro Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 142.4 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 13.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 103.1 mi | 1h 54m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 10.1 mi | 10m |
| Taft Highway | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| US 27 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Signal Mountain Boulevard | 3 mi | 4m |
| Signal Mountain Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Horton Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Fairmount, TN.
Start on US 31 Business; TN 96
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
Continue on SR 96
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 840
Take the exit
Merge onto I 24
Take the exit
Continue on US 27
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 127
Continue on US 127
Continue on US 127
Turn right onto Gahagan Road
At end of road, turn left onto Fairmount Pike
Turn right onto North Fairmount Road
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 2-hour and 52-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially around the I-24 corridor. With a total distance of 142.4 miles and a fuel cost of around $22, you won't need extensive planning for fuel or rest stops, though it's always wise to check your fuel level before heading out. The longest stretch without a major turn is over 100 miles on I-24, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. Given the manageable duration, you have the flexibility to add a brief stop if needed, perhaps for a quick break on Murfreesboro Road.
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.
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 31 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.2 miles or 1h 26m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmount, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 142.4 miles and 2h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.2 mi from Franklin, TN · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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.
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 71.2 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 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.1 miles.
The final approach into Fairmount, 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 Fairmount, 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.
Regular Gas
$22.26 one way
$44.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.44 | $48.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.40 | $54.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.44 | $62.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.95 | $6.84 |
| Efficient EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.46 | $5.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57 | 0 | $19.94 | $9.11 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Franklin on Friday
Local time
12:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Fairmount on Friday
Local time
1:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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