Origin
Midtown, TN
Afternoon in Midtown on Thursday
Local time
2:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
143.7 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Midtown, TN
Kelly
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 144 miles across the Southeast, this journey from Midtown to Nashville typically takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance and duration, you can easily handle this as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes Pine Ridge Road, SR 29, and I-24 West to connect these two Tennessee locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, it remains a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Since there are no formal stops scheduled, you should be prepared to complete the drive in one consistent push.
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
71.8 miles from Midtown, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 143.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience as you navigate away from Midtown. Unlike a typical interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will spend the entire 2-hour and 15-minute duration on local roads rather than high-speed thoroughfares. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Pine Ridge Road, highlighting the technical and winding nature of the path. You should stay alert behind the wheel, as the road requires constant attention compared to a standard highway cruise. This drive is best suited for those who prefer an active, engaging steering experience over the monotony of long, straight stretches.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Roane State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
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 143.7 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 1.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.8 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 toward Secondary SR 29: Harriman, Midtown
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 138.7 mi | 2h 30m |
| Roane State Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Downtown Loop | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| I 24 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 7th Avenue North | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Pine Ridge Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Midtown, TN and Nashville, TN.
Start on US 70
Turn left
Turn right onto SR 29
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
Merge onto I 24
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Because the route is entirely comprised of local roads rather than highways, plan for a slower, more deliberate pace rather than trying to make up time. Keep your fuel budget of $21 in mind before you head out, as the winding nature of these roads might lead to different fuel consumption patterns than you are used to on the interstate. Given the lack of scheduled stops, double-check your vehicle's fluid levels and tire pressure before leaving Midtown. Prioritize staying focused on the turns throughout the 144-mile journey to ensure a smooth arrival in Nashville.
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 71.8 miles or 1h 18m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Midtown, 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 Midtown, TN
This is one driving day of about 143.7 miles and 2h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.8 mi from Midtown, TN · 1h 18m 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.
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 71.8 miles from Midtown, 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 138.7 miles.
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.
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
$22.47 one way
$44.93 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.67 | $49.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.65 | $55.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.73 | $63.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.09 | $6.90 |
| Efficient EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.57 | $5.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.5 | 0 | $20.12 | $9.20 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Afternoon in Midtown on Thursday
Local time
2:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Nashville on Thursday
Local time
1:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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.
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