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Create accountDrive Time
5h 18m
Distance
285.7 mi
460 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
The drive from Johnson City, TN to Murfreesboro, TN covers 285.7 miles and takes about 5h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 81, Tennessee National Guard Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 185.5 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
142.9 miles from Johnson City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
This is a 5h 18m highway drive covering 285.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 185.5 miles on I 40.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North Roan Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 285.7 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 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Johnson City, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 185.5 mi | 3h 22m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21 mi | 22m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| New Nashville Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Watauga Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Roan Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
Turn left onto North Roan Street
Turn right onto SR 400
Turn left onto Oak Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81
Continue on I 81
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Continue on I 840
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 41; US 70S
Continue on US 41; US 70S
Turn left onto West Main Street
Turn right onto South Maple Street
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
Continue on East Main Street
Turn right onto South Spring Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 142.9 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Johnson City, 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 Johnson City, TN
This is one driving day of about 285.7 miles and 5h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.9 mi from Johnson City, TN · 2h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 142.9 miles from Johnson City, 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 185.5 miles.
The final approach into Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, 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.
Regular Gas
$43.39 one way
$86.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $47.84 | $95.68 |
| premium | $4.80 | $53.93 | $107.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.47 | $126.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.7 | 1 | $30.00 | $13.71 |
| Efficient EV | 71.4 | 0 | $25.00 | $11.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.3 | 1 | $40.00 | $18.28 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Morning in Johnson City on Monday
Local time
11:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Morning in Murfreesboro on Monday
Local time
10:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Rain Showers
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
143 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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