Origin
Kingston, TN
Night in Kingston on Wednesday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kingston, TN to Nashville, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
144.7 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 30m
★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kingston, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Kingston to Nashville covers 144.7 miles across the Southeast, making for a straightforward 2-hour and 40-minute journey. Since this trip is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $22 on fuel for the trek, which relies heavily on I-40 to connect these two Tennessee cities. Because the route is so direct, it serves as an efficient link between the two locations rather than a multi-day expedition. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a reliable and predictable path through the region.
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
72.4 miles from Kingston, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 98% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. The vast majority of your journey consists of a 141.3-mile stretch along I-40, offering a consistent driving rhythm without the need for constant navigation. As you transition toward the end of your trip, the route shifts into the Downtown Loop and James Robertson Parkway to help you navigate into the heart of Nashville. Because the interstate makes up nearly the entire drive, it lacks the technical turns of backroad travel, favoring efficiency over variety. You can settle in for a steady, focused drive that moves quickly from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Kentucky Street 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Kingston, TN to Nashville, TN is easy. At 2h 40m 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 Kingston, TN to Nashville, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kentucky Street | — | — |
| I 24 West | — | — |
| Downtown Loop | — | — |
| James Robertson Parkway | — | — |
| 3rd Avenue North | — | — |
| Dr | — | — |
| 7th Avenue North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Kentucky Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingston, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on North Kentucky Street
256 ft
·
35 sec
·
North Kentucky Street
2
Continue on North Kentucky Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Kentucky Street
3
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
4
Merge slight left
139 mi
·
2 hr 29 min
5
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
7
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
8
Take the exit straight toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
9
Turn straight onto James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
10
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
128 ft
·
7 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
11
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
12
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
13
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple given the short duration, but keep in mind that you only have one planned stop along the way. Since the longest stretch spans over 141 miles, make sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto I-40 to avoid any unnecessary interruptions. Flexibility is a major advantage here; you can comfortably leave in the morning and arrive in Nashville with plenty of time to spare for your afternoon plans. For the smoothest transition into the city, pay close attention to your GPS as you exit the interstate onto the Downtown Loop and James Robertson Parkway. Use your single stop wisely to stretch your legs, as the remainder of the drive will keep you firmly planted in the driver's seat.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.4 miles from Kingston, TN, or about 1h 20m 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 32 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 20m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 144.7 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Kingston, 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 72.4 mi from Kingston, TN · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Kingston, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Nashville, TN
The final approach into Nashville, 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 Nashville, 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
$22.62 one way
$45.24 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.84 | $49.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.85 | $55.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.95 | $63.90 |
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: 50.6 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 | 43.4 | 0 | $15.19 | $6.95 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.66 | $5.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.26 | $9.26 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Nashville, TN
Night in Nashville on Wednesday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
21 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
2h 40m 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 Kingston, TN to Nashville, TN covers 144.7 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Kentucky Street, I 24 West, Downtown Loop. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.4 miles from Kingston, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 Kingston, TN to Nashville, TN is easy. At 2h 40m 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 Kingston, TN to Nashville, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Kingston, TN to Nashville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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