Trip from Murfreesboro, TN to Clinton, TN

Drive Time

3h 21m

Distance

173.3 mi

279 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 9m ★

6 AM

3h 21m

8 AM

3h 45m

10 AM

3h 30m

12 PM

3h 27m

3 PM

3h 31m

5 PM

3h 44m

8 PM

3h 14m

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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Murfreesboro, TN

Kelly

Clinton, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 173.3 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Murfreesboro to Clinton is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 21 minutes. Since it is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the one-way transit. The route keeps you within the Southeast region, transitioning you from the central part of the state toward the eastern corridor. It is a highly practical drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently while maintaining a manageable pace.

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

86.6 miles from Murfreesboro, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

You will spend 81% of your time on highways, making this a reliable and fast-paced experience. The backbone of your journey is I-40, which accounts for a significant 112.3-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. Beyond the interstate, your path incorporates the Tennessee National Guard Parkway and Harriman Highway to round out the final segments. While the interstate portions offer a consistent rhythm, the transition onto local highways provides a shift in the driving environment. It is a classic highway-focused trip that prioritizes steady progress over technical, winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 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 112.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 early in the drive near East Main Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 173.3 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: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Main Street

Turn left onto East Main Street

Navigation decision point

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street

Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

5.7 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway

Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

26.6 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 76A Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon

27.3 mi into trip | ~33m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Murfreesboro, TN and Clinton, TN, road signs point toward Lebanon and Rockwood.

Lebanon

26.6 mi in | ~32m

Rockwood

139.5 mi in | ~2h 35m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	112.3 mi	2h 1m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway	20.9 mi	22m
Harriman Highway	9.6 mi	10m
Oliver Springs Highway	7.1 mi	12m
US 27	6.8 mi	7m
West Tri County Boulevard	4.6 mi	5m
Northwest Broad Street	3.7 mi	5m
South Charles G Seivers Boulevard	2.2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 112.3 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and Clinton, TN.

Start on South Spring Street

84 ft · 11 sec · South Spring Street

Turn left onto East Main Street

347 ft · 9 sec · East Main Street

Turn right onto North Church Street

115 ft · 3 sec · North Church Street

Turn slight left onto North Public Square

393 ft · 11 sec · North Public Square

Use the left lane.

Turn slight right onto West Main Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · West Main Street

Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231

3.7 mi · 5 min · Northwest Broad Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 41; US 70S

0.9 mi · 1 min · New Nashville Highway

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 840 East: Knoxville

Merge onto I 840

21 mi · 22 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 76A Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 40

112 mi · 2 hr 1 min · I 40

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood

Keep slight right at fork

335 ft · 8 sec

Merge onto US 27

6.8 mi · 7 min · US 27

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61

9.6 mi · 10 min · Harriman Highway

Continue on SR 61

4.6 mi · 5 min · West Tri County Boulevard

Turn left onto SR 61

7.1 mi · 12 min · Oliver Springs Highway

At end of road, turn left onto TN 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Oak Ridge Turnpike

Continue on TN 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Oak Ridge Highway

Continue on TN 61

384 ft · 6 sec · South Charles G Seivers Boulevard

Continue on TN 61

0.4 mi · 41 sec · South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard

Continue on SR 61

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Charles G Seivers Boulevard

Turn left onto US 25W

0.5 mi · 50 sec · South Main Street

Turn right onto Market Street

135 ft · 7 sec · Market Street

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

Planning for this 3-hour and 21-minute drive is simple, though you should account for at least one planned stop to break up the long interstate segments. Because the majority of your time is spent on I-40, check traffic patterns before you depart to avoid potential congestion on the main artery. Since you only have one recommended stop, use that time to refuel and stretch your legs before navigating the final stretch on Harriman Highway. Taking advantage of the trip’s flexibility allows you to leave at a time that best suits your schedule, as the distance is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight split.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 86.6 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.3 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 86.6 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, 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 173.3 miles and 3h 21m.

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 I 40 for about 112.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 86.6 mi from Murfreesboro, TN · 1h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

87 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

Johnson, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Murfreesboro, 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 112.3 miles.

Arriving in Clinton, TN

The final approach into Clinton, 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 Clinton, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.32 one way

$52.64 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$29.02	$58.04
premium	$4.80	$32.72	$65.43
diesel	$5.64	$38.50	$77.00

Estimated Tolls: $0.08

Oak Ridge Turnpike (1.1 mi) $0.08

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52	$18.20	$8.32
Efficient EV	43.3	$15.16	$6.93
EV Truck/SUV	69.3	$24.26	$11.09

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Murfreesboro, TN

Evening in Murfreesboro on Sunday

Local time

5:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clinton, TN

Evening in Clinton on Sunday

Local time

6:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

87 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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

2 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 21m 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 Clinton, TN covers 173.3 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, Harriman Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 86.6 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 $26.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Murfreesboro, TN and Clinton, TN, road signs point toward Lebanon and Rockwood.

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Return Trip

Clinton, TN to Murfreesboro, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

173.8 mi 3h 21m

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Trip from Murfreesboro, TN to Clinton, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Clinton, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Murfreesboro, TN

Clinton, TN

1 hour later

2 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 21m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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