Origin
Murfreesboro, TN
Late night in Murfreesboro on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Murfreesboro, TN to Baxter, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
72.2 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 25m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Baxter, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion across Tennessee, the 72.2-mile trek from Murfreesboro to Baxter is a straightforward option. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 1 hour and 24 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $11, this route is as economical as it is direct. You will stay within the Southeast region for the duration of your journey, moving between two central Tennessee locales. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the trip is efficient and easy to navigate.
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
36.1 miles from Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of this journey is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40, which accounts for a 40.4-mile stretch of the trip. The character of the drive shifts as you transition from the interstate onto the Tennessee National Guard Parkway and eventually onto Old Baxter Road. This combination provides a mix of high-speed travel and local road segments. You can anticipate a consistent pace behind the wheel, moving from the heavier traffic patterns near Murfreesboro to the more localized feel of the approach into Baxter.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Murfreesboro, TN to Baxter, TN is easy. At 1h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Murfreesboro, TN to Baxter, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Church Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Public Square | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northwest Broad Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New Nashville Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 840 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and Baxter, TN.
1
Start on South Spring Street
85 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Spring Street
2
Turn left onto East Main Street
348 ft
·
10 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
394 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Public Square
5
Turn slight right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Main Street
6
Turn right onto Northwest Broad Street
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Broad Street
7
Continue on New Nashville Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
New Nashville Highway
8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 840 East: Knoxville
9
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
11
Merge slight left
40 mi
·
43 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward Old Baxter Road
492 ft
·
12 sec
·
Old Baxter Road
13
Turn left onto Old Baxter Road
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Old Baxter Road
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You won't need to worry about complex stop planning since the trip is short enough to drive in one go, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise despite the low $11 cost estimate. Before you head out, check for potential congestion on I-40, as it serves as the backbone of your journey. Since you will be finishing your drive on Old Baxter Road, ensure your GPS is updated to navigate the transition from the parkway into the town center smoothly. This route is designed for efficiency, so enjoy the simplicity of the transit.
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 36.1 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, or about 42m into the drive.
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 72.2 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.1 miles or 42m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baxter, 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 72.2 miles and 1h 24m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.1 mi from Murfreesboro, TN · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 72.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Baxter, TN
The final approach into Baxter, 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 Baxter, 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
$11.29 one way
$22.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.39 | $24.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.89 | $27.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.94 | $31.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.58 | $3.47 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.32 | $2.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.11 | $4.62 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Baxter, TN
Late night in Baxter on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
3 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 24m 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 Baxter, TN covers 72.2 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Main Street, North Church Street, North Public Square. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.1 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 $11.29 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.
The drive from Murfreesboro, TN to Baxter, TN is easy. At 1h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Murfreesboro, TN to Baxter, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Murfreesboro, TN to Baxter, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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