Trip from Nashville, TN to Oak Ridge, TN

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

3h 2m

Distance

162.7 mi

262 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 51m ★

6 AM

3h 3m

8 AM

3h 25m

10 AM

3h 11m

12 PM

3h 8m

3 PM

3h 12m

5 PM

3h 24m

8 PM

2h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

This 162.7-mile drive from Nashville, TN to Oak Ridge, TN is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 2 minutes to complete. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of it on major roads, making it a straightforward journey through the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of around $25, it’s an economical option for a quick getaway or a functional transit. You'll spend a significant portion of the drive on I-24, experiencing an 80.6-mile stretch without needing to exit, which offers a consistent pace. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient drive with minimal fuss.

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

81.4 miles from Nashville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 162.7-mile journey, with 89% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-24 and I-40, along with Harriman Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.6 miles on I-24, providing a steady, consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. This predominantly highway profile suggests a driving experience characterized by higher speeds and fewer complex intersections. The nature of the road is primarily geared towards efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 15 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 162.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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 10 key points

These 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...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Nashville, TN to Oak Ridge, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Rockwood along the way.

Rockwood

139.4 mi in | ~2h 35m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 24	80.6 mi	1h 27m
I 40	56.3 mi	1h 1m
Harriman Highway	9.6 mi	10m
US 27	6.8 mi	7m
West Tri County Boulevard	5.6 mi	6m
North Illinois Avenue	1 mi	1m
Downtown Loop	0.8 mi	1m
James Robertson Parkway	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 24 — 80.6 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Oak Ridge, 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

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

56 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 40

Use the straight / right lanes.

9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood

10

Keep slight right at fork

335 ft · 8 sec

11

Merge onto US 27

6.8 mi · 7 min · US 27

12

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61

9.6 mi · 10 min · Harriman Highway

13

Continue on SR 61

5.6 mi · 6 min · West Tri County Boulevard

14

Continue on TN 62

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Illinois Avenue

15

Arrive at destination

TN 62

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, this 162.7-mile trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart Nashville in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you arrive in Oak Ridge with ample time to settle in. You'll encounter one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs or refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 80.6 miles on I-24, as services might be less frequent during that segment.

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 81.4 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 1h 31m 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 36 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 81.4 miles or 1h 31m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Ridge, 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 162.7 miles and 3h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 81.4 mi from Nashville, TN · 1h 31m into the drive

town in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Monterey, TN

81 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

Alexandria, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cookeville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.4 miles from Nashville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.

Arriving in Oak Ridge, TN

The final approach into Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, 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

$25.44 one way

$50.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$27.93	$55.86
premium	$4.89	$31.31	$62.62
diesel	$5.61	$35.92	$71.84

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: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	48.8	$17.08	$7.81
Efficient EV	40.7	$14.24	$6.51
EV Truck/SUV	65.1	$22.78	$10.41

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Nashville, TN

Afternoon in Nashville on Wednesday

Local time

3:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oak Ridge, TN

Afternoon in Oak Ridge on Wednesday

Local time

4:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Monterey, TN

81 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

5 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 2m 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 Oak Ridge, TN covers 162.7 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 24, I 40, Harriman 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 81.4 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 $25.44 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 162.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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.

On the drive from Nashville, TN to Oak Ridge, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Rockwood along the way.