Origin
Nashville, TN
Afternoon in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
2:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nashville, TN to Lafayette, TN
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
68.3 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Nashville, TN
MINEIA MARTINS
Lafayette, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Nashville to Lafayette, expect a straightforward journey covering 68.3 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a simple day trip. Since the route remains entirely within Tennessee and the Southeast region, you won't need to worry about major regional shifts or overnight stays. Budgeting roughly $10 for fuel should be sufficient to get you to your destination. This highway-focused path is efficient and practical, allowing you to spend your time at the destination rather than behind the wheel.
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
34.1 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its reliance on major thoroughfares, with approximately 85% of your travel taking place on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-24, which accounts for a substantial 57.2-mile stretch of the journey. Once you transition away from the interstate, you will navigate via the Nashville Highway and Buffalo Valley Highway to reach Lafayette. Expect a consistent pace throughout the drive, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than winding, technical maneuvers. It is a functional, highway-heavy experience that favors speed and directness over secondary backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 57.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Nashville Highway. You will hit about 9 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
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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 | 57.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Nashville Highway | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Buffalo Valley Highway | 3 mi | 5m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Chestnut Mound Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Interstate Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 57.2 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Lafayette, 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
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 24
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
Toward TN 96: Center Hill Dam
9
Turn left onto SR 96
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Buffalo Valley Highway
10
Continue on SR 96
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Mound Road
11
Turn right onto US 70N; SR 96
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Nashville Highway
12
Arrive at destination
US 70N; SR 96
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. Since there are no scheduled stops on this 1 hour and 22 minute route, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to keep your $10 budget on track. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when exiting Nashville, as the heavy reliance on I-24 means congestion can impact your travel time. My best advice is to utilize the transition from the interstate to the Buffalo Valley Highway as your natural mental reset point. This is a quick trip, so focus on smooth transitions between the major roads to maintain a steady arrival time.
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 34.1 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.2 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 68.3 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.1 miles or 40m 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 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 68.3 miles and 1h 22m.
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 57.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.1 mi from Nashville, TN · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Nashville, 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
$10.37 one way
$20.75 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.44 | $22.87 |
| premium | $4.80 | $12.89 | $25.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.17 | $30.35 |
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 | $7.17 | $3.28 |
| Efficient EV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.98 | $2.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.56 | $4.37 |
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.
Destination
Lafayette, TN
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
2:30 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
1 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 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 Nashville, TN to Lafayette, TN covers 68.3 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 24, Nashville Highway, Buffalo Valley 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 34.1 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 $10.37 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 68.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Nashville, TN to Lafayette, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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