Origin
Nashville, TN
Afternoon in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
2:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nashville, TN to Arlington, TN
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
183.4 mi
295 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Nashville, TN
MINEIA MARTINS
Arlington, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Nashville to Arlington covers 183.4 miles across the Tennessee landscape. You can expect a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes, making this a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Since the route stays entirely within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural feel as you move across the state. Expect to budget around $28 for fuel to complete the journey. With only one recommended stop needed, this trip is ideal for those who prefer an efficient, direct transit between two points in Tennessee.
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
91.7 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey, specifically 178.5 miles, on the I-40 corridor. The experience is defined by these long, uninterrupted stretches of interstate that allow for steady cruising. As you approach your destination, the route transitions off the main interstate and onto local roads like Forrest Street and Hickory Withe Road. This shift provides a brief change of pace before you arrive in Arlington.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 178.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Forrest Street. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Nashville, TN to Arlington, TN is easy. At 3h 25m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (George L Davis Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
George L Davis Boulevard
Turn right onto George L Davis Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisvil...
3
1.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining
7
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 178.5 mi | 3h 12m |
| Forrest Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Hickory Withe Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| SR 196 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| George L Davis Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Walker Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.5 mi, about 3h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Arlington, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto George L Davis Boulevard
87 ft
·
1 sec
·
George L Davis Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
5
Merge onto I 40; I 65
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Downtown Loop
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
178 mi
·
3 hr 12 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
8
Turn right onto SR 196
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
SR 196
9
Turn straight onto Hickory Withe Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hickory Withe Road
10
Continue on Forrest Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Forrest Street
11
Arrive at destination
Walker Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 25 minute journey, try to plan your single stop for the middle of your I-40 stretch to break up the drive. Since the vast majority of your travel occurs on high-speed highways, keep a close eye on traffic patterns near Nashville before you head out. Being a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing to worry about complex overnight logistics. Ensure you have your $28 fuel budget ready before you hit the road to keep the transit stress-free. If you are prone to fatigue, use the transition from I-40 to Hickory Withe Road as a mental cue that you are entering the final leg of your trip.
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 91.7 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.5 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN
This is one driving day of about 183.4 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Nashville, 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 178.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.7 mi from Nashville, TN · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 91.7 miles from Nashville, 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 178.5 miles.
Arriving in Arlington, TN
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, 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
$27.86 one way
$55.71 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.71 | $61.42 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.62 | $69.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.75 | $81.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55 | 0 | $19.26 | $8.80 |
| Efficient EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.68 | $11.74 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Arlington, TN
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 25m 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 Nashville, TN to Arlington, TN covers 183.4 miles and takes about 3h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Forrest Street, Hickory Withe Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.7 miles from Nashville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.86 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.
The drive from Nashville, TN to Arlington, TN is easy. At 3h 25m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (George L Davis Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Nashville, TN to Arlington, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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