Origin
Murfreesboro, TN
Morning in Murfreesboro on Friday
Local time
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
161.9 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Coalfield, TN
Kelly
Murfreesboro to Coalfield is 161.9 miles and takes about 3h 4m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically within Tennessee. It's a predominantly highway-focused trip, so expect efficient travel times. With a single recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 112 miles on I 40, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey. Consider this if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal fuss.
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
81 miles from Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 161.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 86% of it on major roadways like I 40. You'll experience a significant portion of the journey on I 40, including a continuous stretch of 112.3 miles. While the main arteries like I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and Harriman Highway provide a consistent pace, be prepared for the extended periods on the interstate. The overall character is one of steady progress rather than winding scenic byways.
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 161.9 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 5.7 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles: 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 onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Murfreesboro, TN and Coalfield, TN, road signs point toward Lebanon and Rockwood.
Lebanon
Rockwood
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 112.3 mi | 2h 1m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 20.9 mi | 22m |
| Harriman Highway | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| US 27 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Knoxville Highway | 4 mi | 5m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| West Tri County Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| New Nashville Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and Coalfield, TN.
Start on South Spring Street
Turn left onto East Main Street
Turn right onto North Church Street
Turn slight left onto North Public Square
Turn slight right onto West Main Street
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
Continue on US 41; US 70S
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 840
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 27
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61
Continue on SR 61
Turn left onto SR 62
Continue on SR 62
Turn left onto Fairview Road
Turn right onto Meredith Lane
Arrive at destination
Given the 3h 4m duration and 161.9-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can comfortably depart in the morning and arrive in Coalfield well before evening. The longest stretch on I 40 is over 112 miles, so plan your fuel stop before you reach that point to avoid any last-minute worries. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, but an early start will give you ample time to settle in at your destination.
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 36 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81 miles or 1h 31m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coalfield, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 161.9 miles and 3h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81 mi from Murfreesboro, TN · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 81 miles from Murfreesboro, 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 112.3 miles.
The final approach into Coalfield, 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 Coalfield, 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
$25.31 one way
$50.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.79 | $55.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.16 | $62.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.75 | $71.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.00 | $7.77 |
| Efficient EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.17 | $6.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.67 | $10.36 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Murfreesboro on Friday
Local time
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Coalfield on Friday
Local time
10:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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