This 71.7-mile drive from New Johnsonville, TN to Franklin, TN should take you about 1 hour and 38 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, it's an economical journey. The route primarily uses Broadway Street and State Highway 96, with a portion on I-40, offering a mixed driving experience. Since both locations are within the Southeast region and the state of Tennessee, you won't be crossing state lines or encountering significant regional shifts. This trip is straightforward and manageable, ideal for a relaxed day of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from New Johnsonville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 71.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this 71.7-mile route, with 42% of it being highway driving. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 32.1 miles on Broadway Street, which likely means you'll experience varied road conditions and speeds. The transition from local roads like Broadway Street and State Highway 96 to the faster pace of I-40 will define the driving personality of this trip. This blend means you'll get a taste of both rural and interstate travel, keeping your time behind the wheel engaging without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Broadway Street is the longest continuous segment at about 32.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 35.3 miles in near SR 46.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 35.3 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
35.3 mi into trip|~53m in|SR 46
Turn right onto SR 46
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
39.9 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
49.4 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
5
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|TN 96 / State Highway 96
Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
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 New Johnsonville, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.
Primary Sr 96: Fairview
49.4 mi in|~1h 10m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Broadway Street
32.1 mi
47m
State Highway 96
11.8 mi
14m
I 40
9.2 mi
9m
Fairview Boulevard
5.2 mi
5m
Highway 96
4.8 mi
6m
SR 46
4.6 mi
6m
West College Street
3.2 mi
5m
Bridge Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Broadway Street
— 32.1 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Johnsonville, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on US 70
32 mi·47 min·Broadway Street
2
Continue on US 70
1.7 mi·2 min·West College Street
3
Continue on US 70 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·West College Street
4
Turn right onto SR 46
4.6 mi·6 min·SR 46
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 40
9.2 mi·9 min·I 40
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, FranklinUse the right lane.
8
Turn left onto TN 96
4.8 mi·6 min·Highway 96
9
Merge onto SR 96; SR 100
5.2 mi·5 min·Fairview Boulevard
10
Take the exit
292 ft·8 sec
11
Turn right onto TN 96
12 mi·14 min·State Highway 96
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on Bridge Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Bridge Street
13
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
0.1 mi·12 sec·3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
174 ft·2 sec·Public Square
15
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1 hour and 38-minute duration for this 71.7-mile journey, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour, especially as you approach Franklin. With no specific stops recommended, you can easily push through if you're on a schedule or pull over as needed. Pay attention to the transition points between Broadway Street, State Highway 96, and I-40, as these are where the driving environment changes most significantly. Budgeting around $11 for fuel should cover this trip comfortably.
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 35.9 miles from New Johnsonville, TN, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.1 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 53m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Johnsonville, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New Johnsonville, TN
This is one driving day of about 71.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from New Johnsonville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Broadway Street for about 32.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.9 mi from New Johnsonville, TN
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from New Johnsonville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Franklin, TN
The final approach into Franklin, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 71.7
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 9.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.21 one way
$22.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.31
$24.62
premium
$4.89
$13.80
$27.60
diesel
$5.61
$15.83
$31.66
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: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.53
$3.44
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.27
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.04
$4.59
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
New Johnsonville, TN
Morning
in New Johnsonville on Friday
Local time
7:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, TN
Morning
in Franklin on Friday
Local time
7:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Burns, TN
36 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 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
1h 38m 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 New Johnsonville, TN to Franklin, TN covers 71.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Broadway Street, State Highway 96, I 40. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.9 miles from New Johnsonville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.21 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 71.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 35.3 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from New Johnsonville, TN to Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield and Fort Donelson National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
