Trip from Roan Mountain, TN to Franklin, TN

Drive Time

6h 9m

Distance

325.1 mi

523 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 57m ★
6 AM
6h 9m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 18m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 20m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m

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

Downtown Franklin, TN, TN

Franklin, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Roan Mountain, TN to Franklin, TN covers 325.1 miles and takes about 6h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 207.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.38 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

162.5 miles from Roan Mountain, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 9m highway drive covering 325.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 207.6 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 25 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 207.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 148.9 miles in near I 40.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 325.1 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 148.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 303.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

7
148.9 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Nashville
7
303.7 mi into trip | ~5h 43m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 213A Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...
8
307.1 mi into trip | ~5h 47m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville

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 5 Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
6
307.2 mi into trip | ~5h 47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
8
322 mi into trip | ~6h 4m in

Take the exit toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 65 Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro

Towns Along This Route

Between Roan Mountain, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.

Nashville

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

Chattanooga

303.7 mi in | ~5h 43m

Huntsville

307.1 mi in | ~5h 47m

65: Huntsville

307.4 mi in | ~5h 48m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 207.6 mi 3h 45m
I 81 57.1 mi 1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway 15.1 mi 18m
I 65 14.1 mi 15m
US 19E 10.4 mi 14m
Mary Patton Highway 4.5 mi 7m
US 321 4.3 mi 6m
Gap Creek Road 3.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 207.6 mi, about 3h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roan Mountain, TN and Franklin, TN.

1

Start on Main Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Main Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto US 19E

10 mi · 14 min · US 19E
3

Turn left onto SR 361

3.6 mi · 6 min · Gap Creek Road
4

Turn straight onto SR 362

4.5 mi · 7 min · Mary Patton Highway
5

Turn left onto West G Street

0.4 mi · 51 sec · West G Street
6

Turn left onto US 321; SR 67

4.3 mi · 6 min · US 321; SR 67
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
8

Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23

15 mi · 18 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Exit 8A Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
10

Merge onto I 81

56 mi · 1 hr · I 81
11

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81
Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
12

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40
Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 213A Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 53 Toward I 440 West: Memphis
16

Continue on I 440

2.1 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 5 Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
19

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 57 sec · this road
Exit 5 Toward 65: Huntsville
20

Merge onto I 65

14 mi · 15 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 65 Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn right onto TN 96

2.3 mi · 3 min · Murfreesboro Road
Use the right lane.
23

Continue on TN 96

0.3 mi · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96

397 ft · 6 sec · Public Square
25

Arrive at destination

US 31 Business; TN 96

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.5 miles from Roan Mountain, TN, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.6 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 162.5 miles or 3h 11m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 3m

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 Roan Mountain, 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 Roan Mountain, TN

This is one driving day of about 325.1 miles and 6h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Roan Mountain, 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 207.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 162.5 mi from Roan Mountain, TN · 3h 11m into the drive

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

163 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

Kingsport, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.5 miles from Roan Mountain, 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 207.6 miles.

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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Franklin, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.38 one way

$98.76 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $54.44 $108.87
premium $4.80 $61.37 $122.74
diesel $5.64 $72.23 $144.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.5 1 $34.14 $15.60
Efficient EV 81.3 0 $28.45 $13.00
EV Truck/SUV 130 1 $45.51 $20.81

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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 10 hours ago

Origin

Roan Mountain, TN

Morning in Roan Mountain on Monday

Local time

11:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Franklin, TN

Morning in Franklin on Monday

Local time

10:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

163 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.

Road read

6h 9m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Roan Mountain, TN to Franklin, TN covers 325.1 miles and takes about 6h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 162.5 miles from Roan Mountain, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 18 significant decision points across 325.1 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 148.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 303.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Roan Mountain, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.

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