Origin
Lebanon, TN
Late night in Lebanon on Thursday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lebanon, TN to Franklin, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
163.1 mi
262 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lebanon, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Lebanon to Franklin, TN, expect a 163.1-mile journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes to complete. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, as it covers a significant distance through the Southeast region while remaining manageable for a dedicated driver. You should budget about $25 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, the drive offers a more grounded, hands-on experience. It is a straightforward trip for those who prefer avoiding heavy highway traffic in favor of a more direct, localized connection between these two cities.
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
81.5 miles from Lebanon, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Forget the monotony of the interstate; this route is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. With 0% of the trip spent on highways, you will navigate via Candies Creek Road Southwest, Rakestraw Road, and Old Alabama Road Southwest for the duration of your travel. The road’s personality is defined by its winding local nature, moving away from the typical fast-paced highway experience. You will find yourself constantly adjusting to the rhythm of these secondary roads, which keep the experience engaging and technical from start to finish. Expect a steady, active drive rather than a passive cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Candies Creek Road Southwest 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 Lebanon, TN to Franklin, TN is easy. At 2h 48m 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 Lebanon, TN to Franklin, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Candies Creek Road Southwest | — | — |
| Rakestraw Road | — | — |
| Old Alabama Road Southwest | — | — |
| Pine Hill Road | — | — |
| South Lee Highway | — | — |
| I 24 West | — | — |
| Chattanooga | — | — |
| I 840 West | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Candies Creek Road Southwest
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on Tunnel Hill Road
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Tunnel Hill Road
2
Keep slight left to continue on Candies Creek Road Southwest
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Candies Creek Road Southwest
3
Continue on Candies Creek Road Southwest
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Candies Creek Road Southwest
4
Turn right onto Rakestraw Road
1.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Rakestraw Road
5
Turn right onto Old Alabama Road Southwest
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Old Alabama Road Southwest
6
Turn left onto Pine Hill Road
2.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Pine Hill Road
7
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Lee Highway
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
South Lee Highway
8
Take the ramp slight right
10 mi
·
13 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
10
Continue on Chattanooga, Nashville
112 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
Chattanooga, Nashville
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
12
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
14
Turn right onto Horton Highway
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Horton Highway
15
Turn left onto Murfreesboro Road
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Murfreesboro Road
16
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
17
Enter the roundabout toward Public Square
397 ft
·
7 sec
·
Public Square
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this 163.1-mile trek requires acknowledging the technical nature of local roads, so be prepared for a drive that requires more focus than a standard freeway cruise. Since the route involves just one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch and refuel before finishing the remaining miles. Departing early in the day is your best bet to ensure you navigate the turn-heavy sections during daylight hours when visibility is highest. Given the reliance on Candies Creek Road Southwest and similar local paths, keep a close eye on your GPS to stay on track through the winding segments. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to manage your pace comfortably within the 2-hour and 48-minute timeframe.
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 81.5 miles from Lebanon, TN, or about 1h 24m 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 36 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.5 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, TN
This is one driving day of about 163.1 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lebanon, 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 81.5 mi from Lebanon, TN · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.5 miles from Lebanon, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Franklin, TN
The final approach into Franklin, 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 Franklin, 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
$25.50 one way
$51.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.00 | $55.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.39 | $62.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.01 | $72.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.9 | 0 | $17.13 | $7.83 |
| Efficient EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.27 | $6.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.83 | $10.44 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Franklin, TN
Night in Franklin on Wednesday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
27 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
2h 48m 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 Lebanon, TN to Franklin, TN covers 163.1 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Candies Creek Road Southwest, Rakestraw Road, Old Alabama Road Southwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.5 miles from Lebanon, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.50 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 Lebanon, TN to Franklin, TN is easy. At 2h 48m 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 Lebanon, TN to Franklin, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Lebanon, TN to Franklin, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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