Origin
Franklin, TN
Night in Franklin on Tuesday
Local time
10:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, TN to Watertown, TN
Data updated 23 minutes ago
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
210.1 mi
338 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Watertown, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 210.1-mile drive from Franklin, TN to Watertown, TN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes. You'll spend about 96% of your time on major highways, primarily I-40 and I-65, with a brief stretch on Lamar Alexander Parkway. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, this trip is an efficient way to travel within the Southeast region. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, allowing for a flexible schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 4-hour drive, with nearly all of your 210.1 miles spent on high-speed interstates like I-40 and I-65. The 'highway-focused' profile means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with the longest uninterrupted stretch measuring a considerable 150.4 miles on I-40. While the majority of the drive is on these major arteries, you'll briefly transition to Lamar Alexander Parkway. This route is designed for covering distance, so anticipate a consistent pace for most of your journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 150.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Lamar Alexander Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 210.1 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 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; at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
10
172 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...
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 Watertown, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.
Knoxville
17.2 mi in
|
~20m
Chattanooga
17.5 mi in
|
~21m
Oak Ridge
171.7 mi in
|
~3h 9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 150.4 mi | 2h 42m |
| Lamar Alexander Parkway | 26.9 mi | 36m |
| I 65 | 14.1 mi | 15m |
| East Lamar Alexander Parkway | 9 mi | 13m |
| Murfreesboro Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway | 2 mi | 2m |
| East Millers Cove Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 150.4 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Watertown, 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 80
Toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use 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, Knoxville
Use 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, Knoxville
Use 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 52B
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
150 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
150 ft
·
2 sec
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Use the right lane.
16
Merge onto US 321
27 mi
·
36 min
·
Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 321
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lamar Alexander Parkway
18
Turn left onto Old Walland Highway
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Old Walland Highway
19
Turn left onto East Millers Cove Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Millers Cove Road
20
Turn right
33 ft
·
2 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration and 210.1-mile length, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure. Aim to depart Franklin, TN in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to power through or break it up as needed. Keep in mind the longest stretch is over 150 miles on I-40, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $33 is a good budget to keep in mind.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 105 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.4 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watertown, 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 210.1 miles and 4h 4m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 150.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105 mi from Franklin, TN · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 105 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 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.4 miles.
Arriving in Watertown, TN
The final approach into Watertown, 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 Watertown, 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
$32.85 one way
$65.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.06 | $72.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.43 | $80.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.39 | $92.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63 | 0 | $22.06 | $10.08 |
| Efficient EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84 | 1 | $29.41 | $13.45 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Watertown, TN
Night in Watertown on Tuesday
Local time
11:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Johnson, TN
105 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
4h 4m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Watertown, TN covers 210.1 miles and takes about 4h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Lamar Alexander Parkway, 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 105 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 $32.85 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 210.1 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 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; at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Franklin, TN and Watertown, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.
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