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Trip from Mountain City, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN

Drive Time

6h 2m

Distance

325.7 mi

524 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 50m ★
6 AM
6h 2m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 11m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Mountain City, TN, TN

Mountain City, TN

Kelly

Downtown City of Murfreesboro, TN, TN

City of Murfreesboro, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Mountain City, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN covers 325.7 miles and takes about 6h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, I 81, Tennessee National Guard Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 185.5 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.47 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

162.9 miles from Mountain City, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 2m highway drive covering 325.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 185.5 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 185.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.4 miles in near TN 394 / Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 325.7 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 29.4 miles (TN 394 / Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 164.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 297.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
29.4 mi into trip | ~33m in | TN 394 / Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway

Turn left onto TN 394 / Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
164.8 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Nashville
8
297.5 mi into trip | ~5h 26m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 235 Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
8
319.6 mi into trip | ~5h 50m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 55A-B Toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
9
319.8 mi into trip | ~5h 50m in

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 55A Toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord

Towns Along This Route

Between Mountain City, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.

Nashville

164.8 mi in | ~3h 3m | via I 40

Murfreesboro

297.5 mi in | ~5h 26m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 185.5 mi 3h 22m
I 81 69.2 mi 1h 14m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway 21 mi 22m
Daniel Boone Trail 18.2 mi 20m
Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway 13 mi 15m
North Shady Street 11 mi 12m
Northwest Broad Street 3.4 mi 5m
New Nashville Highway 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 185.5 mi, about 3h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mountain City, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.

1

Start on SR 418

0.3 mi · 32 sec · West Main Street
2

Turn right onto US 421

11 mi · 12 min · North Shady Street
3

Continue on US 421

18 mi · 20 min · Daniel Boone Trail
4

Turn left onto TN 394

13 mi · 15 min · Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn left

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 81 South Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 81

68 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 81
7

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81
Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
8

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

133 mi · 2 hr 22 min · I 40
Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min
Exit 235 Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 840

21 mi · 22 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 55A-B Toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 55A Toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
15

Turn straight onto US 41; US 70S

0.8 mi · 1 min · New Nashville Highway
16

Continue on US 41; US 70S

3.4 mi · 5 min · Northwest Broad Street
17

Turn right

0.2 mi · 37 sec
18

Turn straight onto SR 96

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Old Fort Parkway
19

Turn right onto Golf Lane

0.4 mi · 1 min · Golf Lane
20

Arrive at destination

Golf Lane

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.9 miles from Mountain City, TN, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 miles.

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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 162.9 miles or 3h 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 4h 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Mountain City, 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 Mountain City, TN

This is one driving day of about 325.7 miles and 6h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mountain City, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 185.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 162.9 mi from Mountain City, TN · 3h 1m into the drive

Downtown Knoxville, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Knoxville, TN

163 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.

Popular next leg

Knoxville, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN

181.4 mi · 2h 42m

Pacing Suggestions

Kingsport, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Knoxville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.9 miles from Mountain City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.5 miles.

Arriving in City of Murfreesboro, TN

The final approach into City of 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 City of 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Stones River National Battlefield

Stones River National Battlefield

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 325.7
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 123.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.47 one way

$98.94 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $54.54 $109.07
premium $4.80 $61.49 $122.97
diesel $5.64 $72.36 $144.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.7 1 $34.20 $15.63
Efficient EV 81.4 0 $28.50 $13.03
EV Truck/SUV 130.3 1 $45.60 $20.84

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Mountain City, TN

Afternoon in Mountain City on Monday

Local time

1:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

SW 5 to 10 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Destination

City of Murfreesboro, TN

Afternoon in City of Murfreesboro on Monday

Local time

12:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Chance Rain Showers

SSW 10 to 15 mph 39% chance 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

5 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

6h 2m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Mountain City, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN covers 325.7 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 162.9 miles from Mountain City, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 325.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.4 miles (TN 394 / Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 164.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 297.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Mountain City, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.

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Explore More

Return Trip

City of Murfreesboro, TN to Mountain City, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

325.1 mi 6h 2m

Continue From City of Murfreesboro, TN

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