Origin
Oak Ridge, TN
Afternoon in Oak Ridge on Wednesday
Local time
2:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Ridge, TN to Nashville, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
162.6 mi
262 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Ridge, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Oak Ridge to Nashville, this 162.6-mile journey across Tennessee is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 1 minute. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $25 on fuel for the trip. Navigating through the Southeast, you will primarily utilize I-40 to make steady progress between these two cities. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that provides a reliable link between the regions.
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
81.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 85% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey—136.6 miles—on the uninterrupted stretch of I-40, making it a predictable experience for those comfortable with interstate driving. Outside of this primary artery, you will navigate local connections like the Harriman Highway and East Tri-County Boulevard to get started. While the drive is efficient, the transition from local roads to the long highway stretch defines the overall pace. Expect a consistent, highway-focused environment that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Tri County Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,981 ft
529 ft
Total Climb
1,391 ft
Total Descent
1,639 ft
Highest Point
1,981 ft
~61 mi in
Elevation Range
1,452 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Oak Ridge, TN to Nashville, TN is easy. At 3h 1m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Oak Ridge, TN to Nashville, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Tri County Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Harriman Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bitter Creek Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hannah Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Roane Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 24 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Downtown Loop | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| James Robertson Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Tri County Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Ridge, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on North Illinois Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Illinois Avenue
2
Continue on East Tri County Boulevard
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East Tri County Boulevard
3
Continue on Harriman Highway
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Harriman Highway
4
Merge slight right onto Bitter Creek Highway
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Bitter Creek Highway
5
Continue on Harriman Highway
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Harriman Highway
6
Continue on Hannah Highway
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hannah Highway
7
Continue on North Roane Street
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Roane Street
8
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
9
Merge slight left
134 mi
·
2 hr 24 min
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
12
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
13
Take the exit straight toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
14
Turn straight onto James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
15
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
128 ft
·
7 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
16
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
17
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the drive is manageable within a few hours, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 162.6-mile trip, as this allows you to stretch your legs before finishing the final leg into Nashville. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when leaving Oak Ridge, as your $25 budget should comfortably cover the journey if you maintain steady highway speeds. Because the route relies so heavily on I-40, check traffic reports before you leave to ensure the interstate is flowing smoothly. Use the local roads like East Tri-County Boulevard to navigate out of the starting area before settling into the long, primary highway stretch.
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 81.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.3 miles or 1h 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 2h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, 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 162.6 miles and 3h 1m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.3 mi from Oak Ridge, TN · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Nashville, TN
The final approach into Nashville, 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 Nashville, 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
$25.42 one way
$50.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.91 | $55.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.29 | $62.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.90 | $71.80 |
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 | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.07 | $7.80 |
| Efficient EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.23 | $6.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65 | 0 | $22.76 | $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.
Destination
Nashville, TN
Afternoon in Nashville on Wednesday
Local time
1:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
3h 1m 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 Oak Ridge, TN to Nashville, TN covers 162.6 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Tri County Boulevard, Harriman Highway, Bitter Creek Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.3 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 $25.42 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.
The drive from Oak Ridge, TN to Nashville, TN is easy. At 3h 1m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Oak Ridge, TN to Nashville, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Oak Ridge, TN to Nashville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 529 ft to 1,981 ft elevation with about 1,391 ft of total climbing.
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