This 132.1-mile drive from Franklin, Tennessee, to Grimsley, Tennessee, is a straightforward 2 hour and 35 minute journey. Primarily utilizing I-65 and I-40, with a section of Clarkrange Highway, this route is well-suited for a single day trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, making it an economical option. You'll experience a highway-focused drive that efficiently covers the ground between these two points within the Southeast region. With one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip without needing 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
66 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 132.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 78% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-40 and I-65. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87 miles on I-40, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. While the majority is interstate, the inclusion of Clarkrange Highway introduces a change of scenery and road type as you approach your destination. This mix provides a dynamic driving experience, shifting from high-speed travel to more local road conditions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 87 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Clarkrange Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 132.1 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 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
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.
8
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
8
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
8
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...
8
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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin, TN and Grimsley, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
Knoxville
17.2 mi in|~20m
Chattanooga
17.5 mi in|~21m
Primary Sr 84: Monterey
108.3 mi in|~2h
Livingston
108.3 mi in|~2h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
87 mi
1h 33m
Clarkrange Highway
14.8 mi
22m
I 65
14.1 mi
15m
South York Highway
6.2 mi
8m
Murfreesboro Road
2.4 mi
3m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2 mi
2m
East Commercial Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
South Holly Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 87 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Grimsley, 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
2.4 mi·3 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 80Toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 440
2.0 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 24 West: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 24
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 24
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 52BToward I 40 East: KnoxvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
87 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 70N, Primary SR 84: Monterey, Livingston
15
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
0.6 mi·59 sec·South Holly Street
16
Turn right onto SR 62
1.4 mi·2 min·East Commercial Avenue
17
Turn straight onto SR 62
15 mi·22 min·Clarkrange Highway
18
Turn left onto US 127
6.2 mi·8 min·South York Highway
19
Turn left
42 ft·3 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 35 minutes, leaving Franklin, TN, in the morning allows ample time to reach Grimsley, TN, by midday. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 132.1 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. The estimated fuel cost of $21 is manageable, but it's always wise to check your fuel gauge before departing. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-40 to Clarkrange Highway, as this is where the character of the drive changes most significantly and requires your attention.
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 66 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 miles or 1h 15m 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 Grimsley, 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 132.1 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 87 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66 mi from Franklin, TN
· 1h 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 66 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 87 miles.
Arriving in Grimsley, TN
The final approach into Grimsley, 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 Grimsley, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 36.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.65 one way
$41.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.68
$45.35
premium
$4.89
$25.42
$50.84
diesel
$5.61
$29.17
$58.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.6
0
$13.87
$6.34
Efficient EV
33
0
$11.56
$5.28
EV Truck/SUV
52.8
0
$18.49
$8.45
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Franklin, TN
Late night
in Franklin on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Grimsley, TN
Late night
in Grimsley on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Carthage, TN
66 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 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 35m 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 Grimsley, TN covers 132.1 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Clarkrange Highway, I 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66 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 $20.65 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 15 significant decision points across 132.1 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 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.
Between Franklin, TN and Grimsley, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
