Origin
Murfreesboro, TN
Evening in Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
6:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Murfreesboro, TN to Cookeville, TN
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
80.3 mi
129 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 26m
★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
Cookeville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip between Murfreesboro and Cookeville, you can expect a straightforward 80.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route serves perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to cover the transit across these two Southeast Tennessee hubs. The path relies heavily on major thoroughfares, making it a highly predictable drive for those who prefer efficiency over winding backroads. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of the logistics allows you to focus on your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
40.2 miles from Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your time spent on fast-moving roads like I-40. You will start by navigating Northwest Broad Street and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway before merging onto the interstate for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a solid 50-mile run on I-40, which dominates the middle portion of your travel. Because of this high highway percentage, expect a steady, consistent pace once you clear the initial local streets. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that moves quickly from suburban corridors to the more open stretches connecting these two cities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 50 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Main Street
Turn left onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
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
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.
9
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
5
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
On the drive from Murfreesboro, TN to Cookeville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon along the way.
Lebanon
26.6 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 50 mi | 53m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 20.9 mi | 22m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| South Willow Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| New Nashville Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Spring Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Public Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 50 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and Cookeville, 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
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Broad Street
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 41; US 70S
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
New Nashville Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville
9
Merge onto I 840
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward TN 135: Cookeville
13
Turn left onto SR 135
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South Willow Avenue
14
Turn right onto US 70N
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Spring Street
15
Turn left onto South Dixie Avenue
270 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Dixie Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
South Dixie Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but aiming to leave outside of peak morning or evening commuter hours will ensure the smoothest experience. You will not need to plan for any formal stops given the 1 hour and 33 minute duration, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-40, as that 50-mile stretch is where you will spend the bulk of your time. Because the route is so efficient, use that extra time saved to plan your arrival in Cookeville rather than worrying about road logistics. Pack your favorite travel snacks or audiobooks to keep the drive engaging, as the steady highway pace is ideal for long-form listening.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.2 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.2 miles or 47m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cookeville, 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 80.3 miles and 1h 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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 50 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.2 mi from Murfreesboro, TN · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 40.2 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cookeville, TN
The final approach into Cookeville, 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 Cookeville, 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
$12.20 one way
$24.39 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.45 | $26.89 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.16 | $30.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.84 | $35.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.43 | $3.85 |
| Efficient EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.24 | $5.14 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Cookeville, TN
Evening in Cookeville on Sunday
Local time
6:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
1 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
1h 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 Cookeville, TN covers 80.3 miles and takes about 1h 33m 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, Northwest Broad Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.2 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 $12.20 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
On the drive from Murfreesboro, TN to Cookeville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon along the way.
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