The drive from Red Boiling Springs, TN to Murfreesboro, TN covers 81.1 miles and takes about 1h 49m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, Pleasant Shade Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22.7 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.68 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.6 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 81.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 49m highway drive covering 81.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 22.7 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 27 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 22.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.4 miles in near TN 25.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 25.4 miles (TN 25): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
25.4 mi into trip|~42m in|TN 25
Turn right onto TN 25
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
30.4 mi into trip|~50m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
53.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 235
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
8
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 55A-B
Toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
9
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
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 Red Boiling Springs, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Smyrna along the way.
Smyrna
75.2 mi in|~1h 38m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
22.7 mi
24m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
21 mi
22m
Pleasant Shade Highway
9.7 mi
13m
Carthage Road
8.7 mi
15m
TN 25
4.8 mi
7m
Northwest Broad Street
3.7 mi
5m
Dixon Springs Highway
3.4 mi
6m
Main Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 22.7 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Boiling Springs, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on SR 56
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn straight onto SR 56
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spivey Street
3
Continue on SR 56
8.7 mi·15 min·Carthage Road
4
Continue on TN 80
2.8 mi·3 min·Pleasant Shade Highway
5
Continue on TN 80
0.8 mi·1 min·State Route 80
6
Continue on TN 80
6.9 mi·9 min·Pleasant Shade Highway
7
At end of road, turn left onto TN 25
3.2 mi·5 min·Dixon Springs Highway
8
Continue on Dixon Springs Highway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Dixon Springs Highway
9
Continue on Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
10
Continue on Upper Ferry Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Upper Ferry Road
11
Turn right onto TN 25
4.8 mi·7 min·TN 25
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
13
Merge onto I 40
23 mi·24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 235Toward I 840 West: Memphis, MurfreesboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 840
21 mi·22 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 55A-BToward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, SmyrnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 55AToward US 41 South, US 70S East: MurfreesbordUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
19
Turn straight onto US 41; US 70S
0.8 mi·1 min·New Nashville Highway
20
Continue on US 41; US 70S
3.7 mi·5 min·Northwest Broad Street
21
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Main Street
22
Turn right onto South Maple Street
138 ft·4 sec·South Maple Street
23
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
467 ft·12 sec·South Public Square
24
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
47 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
25
Continue on East Main Street
347 ft·13 sec·East Main Street
26
Turn right onto South Spring Street
84 ft·3 sec·South Spring Street
27
Arrive at destination
South Spring Street
Trip Plan
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 40.6 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.7 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 18 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 miles or 1h 1m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Red Boiling Springs, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Red Boiling Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 81.1 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 22.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.6 mi from Red Boiling Springs, TN
· 1h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40.6 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Murfreesboro, TN
The final approach into Murfreesboro, 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.68 one way
$25.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.92
$27.84
premium
$4.89
$15.61
$31.21
diesel
$5.61
$17.91
$35.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.3
0
$8.52
$3.89
Efficient EV
20.3
0
$7.10
$3.24
EV Truck/SUV
32.4
0
$11.35
$5.19
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Red Boiling Springs, TN
Late night
in Red Boiling Springs on Friday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Murfreesboro, TN
Late night
in Murfreesboro on Friday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Carthage, TN
41 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
3 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 49m 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 Red Boiling Springs, TN to Murfreesboro, TN covers 81.1 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, Pleasant Shade 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 40.6 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.68 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 81.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 25.4 miles (TN 25): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Red Boiling Springs, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Smyrna along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River 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.
