Skip to main content

Trip from Franklin, TN to Fairmount, TN

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 42m ★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States

Franklin, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fairmount, TN, TN

Fairmount, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

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 .

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 103.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Driving Effort 7/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

7
13.9 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the ramp toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro
5
14.6 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway

Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
24.6 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
5
25.4 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 24

Merge onto I 24

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
128.5 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 184B Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 24 — 103.1 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

0.7 mi · 1 min · Horton Highway
5

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 840

10 mi · 10 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 24

103 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 184B Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
10

Continue on US 27

3.4 mi · 4 min · US 27
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward US 127 North: Signal Mountain
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 12 sec
13

Turn straight onto US 127

1.6 mi · 2 min · Signal Mountain Road
14

Continue on US 127

3.0 mi · 4 min · Signal Mountain Boulevard
15

Continue on US 127

4.4 mi · 6 min · Taft Highway
16

Turn right onto Gahagan Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Gahagan Road
17

At end of road, turn left onto Fairmount Pike

0.3 mi · 1 min · Fairmount Pike
18

Turn right onto North Fairmount Road

52 ft · 2 sec · North Fairmount Road
19

Arrive at destination

North Fairmount Road

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.2 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 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.

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 142.4 miles and 2h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 24 for about 103.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

human settlement in Grundy County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tracy City, TN

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Christiana, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tracy City, TN

Meal break

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 check

Top up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.1 miles.

Arriving in Fairmount, TN

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.26 one way

$44.53 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Franklin, TN

Late night in Franklin on Friday

Local time

12:35 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairmount, TN

Late night in Fairmount on Friday

Local time

1:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°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

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 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 52m 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 Fairmount, TN covers 142.4 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Murfreesboro Road, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.2 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 $22.26 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
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.
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.
The route from Franklin, TN to Fairmount, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Franklin, TN or browse trips ending in Fairmount, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.