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 Athens, TN
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
167 mi
269 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Nashville, TN
MINEIA MARTINS
Athens, TN
Andy Staver
Trip Overview
Traveling from Nashville to Athens covers 167 miles of Tennessee landscape, making it a straightforward journey that fits perfectly into a single day. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 31 minutes on the road, relying primarily on I-24, I-40, and SR 68. With a fuel budget of approximately $25, this trip is an economical way to traverse the Southeast. Because the drive is relatively short, there is no need to split it into an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this route offers a reliable connection between two key Tennessee hubs.
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
83.5 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 84% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm early on, tackling the longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.6 miles while navigating I-24. As you transition from the interstate system onto the local flow of SR 68, the character of the drive shifts from a fast-paced transit to a more localized experience. Expect a consistent, efficient ride that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination. It is a practical route for those who value predictability and want to cover the distance without unnecessary detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167 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: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: 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.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
James Robertson Parkway
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 24 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 24 East
9
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
109.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 317
Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Nashville, TN to Athens, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Jamestown along the way.
Jamestown
109.1 mi in
|
~2h 2m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 80.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| I 40 | 26 mi | 28m |
| SR 68 | 22.1 mi | 32m |
| Watts Bar Highway | 10 mi | 13m |
| North Main Street | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| St Hwy 305 | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| Highway 305 | 4 mi | 6m |
| New Lake Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 80.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Athens, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
451 ft
·
9 sec
·
Interstate Drive
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 24 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 24
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
81 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 24
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 40
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 40
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 317
Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
10
Turn straight onto US 127
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
North Main Street
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on SR 68
20 mi
·
30 min
·
SR 68
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on Piccadilly Avenue
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Piccadilly Avenue
14
Continue on SR 302
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
New Lake Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto SR 68; SR 302
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Watts Bar Highway
16
Enter roundabout
128 ft
·
2 sec
17
Continue
38 ft
·
1 sec
18
Turn slight right onto SR 68
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 68
19
Turn right onto SR 305
6.9 mi
·
12 min
·
St Hwy 305
20
Continue on SR 305
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 305
21
Continue on SR 305
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Ingleside Avenue
22
Turn right onto SR 39
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Washington Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
SR 39
Trip Plan
Planning for this 167-mile trip is simple, but keeping a few logistical details in mind will ensure a smooth ride. Since the drive takes under four hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the heaviest traffic near Nashville. You only need to account for one planned stop to break up the drive, which is plenty to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep your $25 fuel budget in mind when selecting your pit stop to ensure you are ready for the final stretch on SR 68. Above all, prioritize steady pacing during the long highway segments to stay alert behind the wheel.
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 83.5 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.5 miles or 1h 34m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, 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 167 miles and 3h 31m.
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 24 for about 80.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.5 mi from Nashville, TN · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 83.5 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 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.
Arriving in Athens, TN
The final approach into Athens, 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 Athens, 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
$25.37 one way
$50.73 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.96 | $55.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.53 | $63.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.10 | $74.20 |
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: 58.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.54 | $8.02 |
| Efficient EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.61 | $6.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.38 | $10.69 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Athens, TN
Afternoon in Athens on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
84 mi in
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
3h 31m 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 Athens, TN covers 167 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, I 40, SR 68. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.5 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 $25.37 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167 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: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Nashville, TN to Athens, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Jamestown along the way.
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