Origin
Nashville, TN
Afternoon in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
2:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nashville, TN to Baxter, TN
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
72.1 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Nashville, TN
MINEIA MARTINS
Baxter, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Nashville to Baxter, you are looking at a manageable 72.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Because of the short distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a simple day outing rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $11 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route keeps you entirely within the Southeast region of Tennessee, transitioning from the urban center of Nashville toward the more relaxed environment of Baxter. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of pace, this direct drive offers a straightforward connection between the two locations.
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 Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 91% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roads. The journey is dominated by a long, 65.1-mile stretch along I-24, which serves as the primary artery for your travel. You will encounter a mix of heavy-traffic interstate driving before the route transitions into the more localized feel of Old Baxter Road and the Downtown Loop. While the initial portion of the drive moves quickly, the pace shifts as you exit the highway and navigate the final segments of the trip. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 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 65.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Old Baxter Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 25m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
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 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.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Interstate Drive
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 65.1 mi | 1h 10m |
| Old Baxter Road | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Interstate Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 65.1 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Baxter, 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
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 24
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Old Baxter Road
9
Turn left onto SR 141
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Old Baxter Road
10
Arrive at destination
SR 141
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. However, given the high volume of interstate travel, try to avoid Nashville’s peak rush hour to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 25 minute estimated duration. Because the longest stretch is 65.1 miles on I-24, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving, as the $11 fuel estimate assumes a steady pace. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition from the interstate onto the Downtown Loop and Old Baxter Road, as these local segments require more attention than the highway portions. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs.
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 Nashville, TN, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.1 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 72.1 miles or 1h 25m 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 10m
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 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 72.1 miles and 1h 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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 65.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.1 mi from Nashville, 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 72.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.1 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 65.1 miles.
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
$10.95 one way
$21.90 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.07 | $24.14 |
| premium | $4.80 | $13.61 | $27.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.02 | $32.04 |
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: 25.2 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 | 21.6 | 0 | $7.57 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
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
Afternoon in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
2:28 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
2 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 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 Baxter, TN covers 72.1 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Old Baxter Road, Downtown Loop. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.1 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 $10.95 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 is a straightforward 1h 25m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Nashville, TN to Baxter, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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