Amber Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
Knoxville, Tennessee
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18652439828
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
203.4 mi
327 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maynardville, TN
Kelly
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
This 203.4-mile journey from Maynardville, TN, to Murfreesboro, TN, is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take about 3 hours and 55 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40, with portions of Tennessee National Guard Parkway and Maynardville Pike, this route is heavily highway-focused. With a projected fuel cost of around $32 and only one recommended stop, it's an efficient trip. The drive takes you through the Southeast region of Tennessee, offering a straightforward path for those looking to cover ground without extensive detours. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time left in the day.
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
101.7 miles from Maynardville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 203.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect an 84% highway drive, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 149.3 miles on I-40, providing a consistent driving experience for a considerable portion of the trip. While predominantly highway, the initial and final segments may involve local roads like Maynardville Pike and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, offering a slight change of pace before merging onto the main interstate. This route offers a clear progression from local access to sustained highway travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.5 miles in near I 640; US 25W / Knoxville Bypass.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 203.4 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 20.5 miles (I 640; US 25W / Knoxville Bypass): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.5 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 640; US 25W / Knoxville Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Maynardville, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 149.3 mi | 2h 41m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21 mi | 22m |
| Maynardville Pike | 8.7 mi | 13m |
| Maynardville Highway | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| Knoxville Bypass | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| North Broadway | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| New Nashville Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Maynardville, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
Start on Main Street
Turn right onto Mulberry Avenue
Turn left onto SR 33; SR 61
Continue on SR 33; SR 61; SR 144
Continue on SR 33; SR 61
Continue on SR 33
Continue on US 441
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 640; US 25W
Merge onto I 40; I 75
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
Given the 3-hour and 55-minute duration, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize your time upon arrival in Murfreesboro. With only one suggested stop and the longest stretch being 149.3 miles, you can easily plan your break accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the long I-40 segment, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The $32 fuel cost is a good estimate to budget for, and since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time as needed.
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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.7 miles or 2h 1m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Maynardville, 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 Maynardville, TN
This is one driving day of about 203.4 miles and 3h 55m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.7 mi from Maynardville, TN · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 101.7 miles from Maynardville, 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 149.3 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Knoxville, Tennessee
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18652439828
Near the start, short detour
Knoxville, Tennessee
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18652439828
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Knoxville, Tennessee
Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm
+18652537560
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Knoxville, Tennessee
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$31.80 one way
$63.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.91 | $69.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $39.14 | $78.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.91 | $89.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61 | 0 | $21.36 | $9.76 |
| Efficient EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.80 | $8.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.48 | $13.02 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Maynardville on Friday
Local time
11:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Murfreesboro on Friday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
75°F
Spring City, TN
102 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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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