Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
145.5 mi
234 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kingston, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Kingston, TN to Murfreesboro, TN covers 145.5 miles and takes about 2h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, Northwest Broad Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 117 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.75 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
72.7 miles from Kingston, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
This is a 2h 41m highway drive covering 145.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 117 miles on I 40.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near I 40.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 145.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.6 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.
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
Turn right onto South Spring Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 117 mi | 2h 5m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21 mi | 22m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| New Nashville Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Kentucky Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Public Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kingston, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
Start on SR 58
Continue on SR 58
Turn left
Merge 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
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 32 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.7 miles or 1h 19m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Kingston, 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 Kingston, TN
This is one driving day of about 145.5 miles and 2h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.7 mi from Kingston, TN · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 72.7 miles from Kingston, 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 117 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
$22.75 one way
$45.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.98 | $49.95 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.00 | $56.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.12 | $64.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.28 | $6.98 |
| Efficient EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.73 | $5.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.37 | $9.31 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Late night in Kingston on Thursday
Local time
12:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Night in Murfreesboro on Wednesday
Local time
11:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
74°F
Baxter, TN
73 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
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.
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