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Trip from Oak Ridge, TN to Smyrna, TN

Drive Time

5h 19m

Distance

276.6 mi

445 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 6m ★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 11m

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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Downtown Oak Ridge, TN, TN

Oak Ridge, TN

Andy Staver

Downtown Smyrna, TN, TN

Smyrna, TN

Josef Traxler

Trip Overview

The drive from Oak Ridge, TN to Smyrna, TN covers 276.6 miles and takes about 5h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, US 641, Harriman Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 218.7 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.01 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

138.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 19m highway drive covering 276.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 641. The longest continuous stretch is about 218.7 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 218.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23 miles in near I 40.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 276.6 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 23 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
23 mi into trip | ~26m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
157.5 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
159.6 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
163 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 West: Memphis
6
244.6 mi into trip | ~4h 27m in

Take the exit toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 126 Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons

Towns Along This Route

Between Oak Ridge, TN and Smyrna, TN, road signs point toward Memphis, Louisville, Paris and Parsons.

Memphis

159.6 mi in | ~2h 54m | via I 40

Louisville

160.7 mi in | ~2h 56m | via I 40

Paris

244.6 mi in | ~4h 27m

Parsons

244.6 mi in | ~4h 27m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 218.7 mi 3h 57m
US 641 13.7 mi 15m
Harriman Highway 9.8 mi 11m
US 70 9.4 mi 14m
East Tri County Boulevard 5.7 mi 6m
North Roane Street 4.1 mi 4m
SR 114 4.1 mi 7m
Downtown Loop 2.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 218.7 mi, about 3h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on TN 62

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Illinois Avenue
2

Continue on SR 62

5.7 mi · 6 min · East Tri County Boulevard
3

Continue on SR 61

9.6 mi · 10 min · Harriman Highway
4

Merge onto US 27

0.2 mi · 10 sec · Bitter Creek Highway
5

Continue on US 27

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Harriman Highway
6

Continue on US 27

2.1 mi · 2 min · Hannah Highway
7

Continue on US 27

4.1 mi · 4 min · North Roane Street
8

Turn left

0.2 mi · 25 sec
9

Merge onto I 40

134 mi · 2 hr 24 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 3 min · I 40
Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

0.4 mi · 42 sec · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto I 40

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 40

2.3 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
Exit 210A Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 126 Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
16

Keep slight right at fork

192 ft · 4 sec
17

Merge onto US 641

14 mi · 15 min · US 641
18

Turn left onto US 70

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 70
19

At end of road, turn left onto US 70

7.8 mi · 11 min · US 70
20

Turn left onto SR 114

4.1 mi · 7 min · SR 114
21

Turn right onto Buena Vista Road

2.5 mi · 6 min · Buena Vista Road
22

Turn left onto Smyrna Road

2.0 mi · 7 min · Smyrna Road
23

Turn right onto Buck Ditch Road

58 ft · 2 sec · Buck Ditch Road
24

Arrive at destination

Buck Ditch Road

Trip Plan

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 138.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.7 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.3 miles or 2h 30m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, TN

This is one driving day of about 276.6 miles and 5h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oak Ridge, 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 40 for about 218.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 138.3 mi from Oak Ridge, TN · 2h 30m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hendersonville, TN

138 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

Johnson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 218.7 miles.

Arriving in Smyrna, TN

The final approach into Smyrna, 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 Smyrna, TN.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 143.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.01 one way

$84.03 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $46.31 $92.63
premium $4.80 $52.22 $104.43
diesel $5.64 $61.45 $122.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83 1 $29.04 $13.28
Efficient EV 69.2 0 $24.20 $11.06
EV Truck/SUV 110.6 1 $38.72 $17.70

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Oak Ridge, TN

Morning in Oak Ridge on Monday

Local time

7:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Smyrna, TN

Morning in Smyrna on Monday

Local time

6:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

15 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

5h 19m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Oak Ridge, TN to Smyrna, TN covers 276.6 miles and takes about 5h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 641, 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 138.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.01 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 276.6 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 23 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Oak Ridge, TN and Smyrna, TN, road signs point toward Memphis, Louisville, Paris and Parsons.

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