Trip from Murfreesboro, TN to Lafayette, TN

Drive Time

1h 22m

Distance

68.4 mi

110 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 16m ★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 35m
8 PM
1h 19m

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

Downtown Murfreesboro, TN, TN

Murfreesboro, TN

Kelly

Downtown Lafayette, TN, TN

Lafayette, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Traveling from Murfreesboro to Lafayette, TN, covers 68.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 22 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $10 on fuel for the round trip, making this an affordable excursion within the Southeast region. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, including I-40, the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and the Nashville Highway. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it a practical choice for motorists looking to navigate between these two Tennessee locales efficiently.

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

34.2 miles from Murfreesboro, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is largely highway-focused, with 78% of your travel occurring on higher-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythmic pace during the longest stretch of the trip, which spans 32.5 miles on I-40. As you transition from the interstate onto the Tennessee National Guard Parkway and the Nashville Highway, the character of the road shifts from busy multi-lane transit to more localized highway travel. Expect a consistent, efficient experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. Staying focused is key during the interstate portion, while the remainder of the route offers a standard transition as you move toward Lafayette.

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 32.5 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 12 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 68.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 12 key points

These 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 Lafayette, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon along the way.

Lebanon

26.6 mi in | ~32m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 32.5 mi 34m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway 20.9 mi 22m
Nashville Highway 4.8 mi 7m
Northwest Broad Street 3.7 mi 5m
Buffalo Valley Highway 3 mi 5m
New Nashville Highway 0.9 mi 1m
Chestnut Mound Road 0.7 mi 1m
West Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 32.5 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and Lafayette, 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

33 mi · 34 min · I 40
Use the none lane.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 23 sec
Toward TN 96: Center Hill Dam
13

Turn left onto SR 96

3.0 mi · 5 min · Buffalo Valley Highway
14

Continue on SR 96

0.7 mi · 1 min · Chestnut Mound Road
15

Turn right onto US 70N; SR 96

4.8 mi · 7 min · Nashville Highway
16

Arrive at destination

US 70N; SR 96

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 22 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since there are no mandatory stops listed, you can easily complete the 68.4-mile trek in one go, but keeping a small budget for snacks or a quick break is always a smart move. Because the route is dominated by highways, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting I-40 to avoid mid-trip delays. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the interstate and the secondary parkways, as these road changes happen quickly. Embracing the short travel time allows you to maximize your day in Lafayette rather than spending it entirely on the road.

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 34.2 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.5 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 68.4 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 34.2 miles or 41m 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 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, 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 68.4 miles and 1h 22m.

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 32.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 34.2 mi from Murfreesboro, TN · 41m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hendersonville, TN

34 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

Hendersonville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.2 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lafayette, TN

The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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

$10.39 one way

$20.78 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $11.45 $22.91
premium $4.80 $12.91 $25.83
diesel $5.64 $15.20 $30.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.5 0 $7.18 $3.28
Efficient EV 17.1 0 $5.99 $2.74
EV Truck/SUV 27.4 0 $9.58 $4.38

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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

Afternoon in Murfreesboro on Sunday

Local time

3:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lafayette, TN

Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday

Local time

3:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 22m 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 Lafayette, TN covers 68.4 miles and takes about 1h 22m 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, Nashville 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 34.2 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 $10.39 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 68.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 Lafayette, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon along the way.

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