Origin
Franklin, TN
Afternoon in Franklin on Thursday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, TN to Athens, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
187.1 mi
301 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Athens, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Franklin, TN to Athens, TN covers 187.1 miles and takes about 3h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 3rd Avenue South, Murfreesboro Road, Horton Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.25 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
93.5 miles from Franklin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 187.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 39m drive with frequent turns across 187.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
3rd Avenue South is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Franklin, TN to Athens, TN is easy. At 3h 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Franklin, TN to Athens, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Avenue South | — | — |
| Murfreesboro Road | — | — |
| Horton Highway | — | — |
| I 840 East | — | — |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | — | — |
| I 24 East | — | — |
| I 75 North | — | — |
| SR 30 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
3rd Avenue South
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, TN and Athens, TN.
1
Start on Public Square
417 ft
·
7 sec
·
Public Square
2
Exit the rotary onto 3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
3
Continue on Murfreesboro Road
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
4
Turn right onto Horton Highway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Horton Highway
5
Take the ramp left toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 840 East: Murfreesboro
6
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
Merge slight left
110 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75 North: Knoxville
10
Merge slight left
47 mi
·
52 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
SR 30: Athens, Decatur
12
Turn right onto Decatur Pike
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Decatur Pike
13
Continue on Green Street
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
Green Street
14
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Washington Avenue
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 93.5 miles from Franklin, TN, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
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 41 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.5 miles or 1h 49m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, 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 187.1 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.5 mi from Franklin, TN · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93.5 miles from Franklin, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Athens, TN
The final approach into Athens, 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 Athens, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.25 one way
$58.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.12 | $64.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.01 | $72.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.31 | $82.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.65 | $8.98 |
| Efficient EV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.37 | $7.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.8 | 0 | $26.19 | $11.97 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Athens, TN
Afternoon in Athens on Thursday
Local time
3:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Winchester, TN
94 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
1 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
3h 39m 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 Athens, TN covers 187.1 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 3rd Avenue South, Murfreesboro Road, Horton Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.5 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 $29.25 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Franklin, TN to Athens, TN is easy. At 3h 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Franklin, TN to Athens, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Franklin, TN to Athens, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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