Origin
Murfreesboro, TN
Evening in Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
6:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Murfreesboro, TN to Clifton, TN
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
117.3 mi
189 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 24m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
Clifton, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Murfreesboro to Clifton, Tennessee, covers 117.3 miles through the heart of the Southeast. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes, making this a straightforward trip that is easily manageable in a single day. Budget about $18 for fuel to complete the journey, which relies on a mix of local roads like Bear Creek Pike and Hampshire Pike. Because the route is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight splits, giving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this trip offers a practical and efficient connection between these two points.
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
58.6 miles from Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed-drive experience that shifts away from the intensity of major interstates. While 38% of your journey consists of highway travel, the remainder of the route invites a more relaxed pace on local Tennessee roads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment early on, spanning 20.8 miles along the Tennessee National Guard Parkway. As you transition between the parkway, Bear Creek Pike, and Hampshire Pike, the character of the drive changes, requiring you to stay alert through varying traffic patterns. It is a functional route that balances speed with the more grounded feel of state-maintained thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tennessee National Guard Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 20.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 117.3 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
8
28 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
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 31
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
8
28.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
6
41.5 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 46
Toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
7
41.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 412: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 46
Toward 412: Columbia
Towns Along This Route
Between Murfreesboro, TN and Clifton, TN, road signs point toward Franklin, Huntsville, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill and 412: Columbia.
Franklin
6.4 mi in
|
~10m
Huntsville
28 mi in
|
~34m
99: Columbia
41.5 mi in
|
~49m
Chapel Hill
41.5 mi in
|
~49m
412: Columbia
41.7 mi in
|
~50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| Bear Creek Pike | 13.8 mi | 15m |
| Hampshire Pike | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Columbia Highway | 13 mi | 16m |
| Waynesboro Highway | 12.3 mi | 18m |
| I 65 | 11.5 mi | 12m |
| Morrison Creek Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| Beech Creek Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
— 20.8 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and Clifton, TN.
1
Start on South Spring Street
84 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Spring Street
2
Turn left onto East Main Street
347 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Turn right onto North Church Street
115 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Church Street
4
Turn slight left onto North Public Square
393 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Public Square
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Main Street
6
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Northwest Broad Street
7
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
8
Turn straight onto SR 96
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Fort Parkway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
10
Merge onto I 24
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 840
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 31
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 31A
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 65
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 46
Toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
17
Keep slight right at fork
162 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 46
Toward 412: Columbia
18
Turn right onto US 412
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Bear Creek Pike
19
Turn left onto US 412
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
US 412
20
Turn left onto US 412
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampshire Pike
21
Continue on US 412
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Columbia Highway
22
Continue on US 412
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
23
Turn left onto SR 20; SR 48
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Park Street
24
Continue on TN 48
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Waynesboro Highway
25
Continue on SR 48
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
SR 48
26
At end of road, turn left onto TN 13
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 13
27
Continue on TN 13
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Waynesboro Highway
28
Continue on TN 13
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 13
29
Turn right onto TN 228
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Smith Branch Road
30
Continue on TN 228
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Beech Creek Road
31
Turn left onto SR 228
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Morrison Creek Road
32
At end of road, turn left onto TN 128
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Linden Highway
33
Continue on TN 128
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Water Street
34
Arrive at destination
SR 128
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 117.3-mile journey, consider timing your departure to avoid peak local traffic, especially when navigating the transition onto Hampshire Pike. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to refuel or stretch your legs rather than trying to rush the full 2-hour and 33-minute duration. Keep a close watch on your odometer after finishing the 20.8-mile stretch on the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, as the road environment will shift significantly thereafter. Given the modest $18 fuel estimate, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary without worrying about excessive costs. Planning for a single, well-timed stop will keep your energy levels consistent until you reach Clifton.
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 58.6 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.8 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, TN
This is one driving day of about 117.3 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Murfreesboro, 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 Tennessee National Guard Parkway for about 20.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.6 mi from Murfreesboro, TN · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clifton, TN
The final approach into Clifton, 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 Clifton, 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
$17.82 one way
$35.63 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.64 | $39.28 |
| premium | $4.80 | $22.14 | $44.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.06 | $52.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.32 | $5.63 |
| Efficient EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.26 | $4.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.42 | $7.51 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Clifton, TN
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
6:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 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 33m 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 Murfreesboro, TN to Clifton, TN covers 117.3 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tennessee National Guard Parkway, Bear Creek Pike, Hampshire Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.6 miles from Murfreesboro, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.82 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 117.3 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Murfreesboro, TN and Clifton, TN, road signs point toward Franklin, Huntsville, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill and 412: Columbia.
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