Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
60.4 mi
97 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
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
Portland, TN
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Franklin, TN to Portland, TN covers 60.4 miles and takes about 1h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, I 24, SR 52 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.9 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.44 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 12m. Total distance: 60.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 12m highway drive covering 60.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 24. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.9 miles on I 65.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles (Downtown Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto Downtown Loop toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 52: Orlinda, Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin, TN and Portland, TN, road signs point toward Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Louisville
Knoxville
Chattanooga
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 38.9 mi | 42m |
| I 24 | 9 mi | 10m |
| SR 52 | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Downtown Loop | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Public Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Portland, TN.
Start on US 31 Business; TN 96
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
Continue on SR 96
Take the exit
Merge onto I 65
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 40
Continue on I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto Downtown Loop
Continue on I 24
Continue on I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 52
Turn left onto SR 109
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.2 mi from Franklin, TN · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 30.2 miles from Franklin, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Portland, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$9.44 one way
$18.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.37 | $20.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.62 | $23.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.34 | $26.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.34 | $2.90 |
| Efficient EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.28 | $2.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.46 | $3.87 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Franklin on Friday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Portland on Friday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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