Origin
Smyrna, TN
Evening in Smyrna on Sunday
Local time
7:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smyrna, TN to Murfreesboro, TN
Drive Time
2h 54m
Distance
141.8 mi
228 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smyrna, TN
Josef Traxler
Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Smyrna to Murfreesboro, expect a straightforward journey covering 141.8 miles. While the distance is manageable, the drive typically takes about 2 hours and 54 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize a mix of Tennessee National Guard Parkway, I-40, and US-641 to navigate through the Southeast. Budgeting around $22 for fuel will keep you covered for the trip. Since the drive is quite efficient, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay, giving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
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
70.9 miles from Smyrna, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 89% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a consistent pace, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 52.2 miles along the Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Unlike winding backroads, this path prioritizes efficiency and steady speeds. The transition between different highway sections provides a predictable rhythm behind the wheel. Expect a functional, no-nonsense drive that gets you to your destination with minimal navigation complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tennessee National Guard Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Tennessee National Guard Parkway and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near SR 114.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 141.8 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 4.5 miles (SR 114): Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (US 70; SR 114 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
SR 114
At end of road, turn left onto SR 114
Navigation decision point
5
8.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 70; SR 114 / Broad Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; SR 114 / Broad Street
Navigation decision point
7
135.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
138.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
6
141.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Smyrna, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
82.1 mi in
|
~1h 44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| I 40 | 50.1 mi | 53m |
| US 641 | 13.8 mi | 15m |
| Broadway of America | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| SR 114 | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| I 24 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Buena Vista Road | 2.5 mi | 6m |
| Broad Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
— 52.2 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on Buck Ditch Road
58 ft
·
4 sec
·
Buck Ditch Road
2
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Smyrna Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Buena Vista Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 114
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
SR 114
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; SR 114
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Broad Street
6
Continue on US 70
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Broadway of America
7
Turn right onto US 70
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70
8
Turn right onto US 641
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 641
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
10
Merge onto I 40
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
12
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Use the right lane.
16
Turn straight onto SR 96
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft
·
6 sec
19
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwest Broad Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Main Street
21
Turn right onto South Maple Street
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Maple Street
22
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
467 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Public Square
23
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
47 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Main Street
24
Continue on East Main Street
347 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Main Street
25
Turn right onto South Spring Street
84 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Spring Street
26
Arrive at destination
South Spring Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with only one scheduled stop, aim to depart early to maximize your time once you arrive. Staying mindful of the 141.8-mile distance helps you pace your journey effectively, especially during the longer 52.2-mile stretch on the Parkway. Because the route relies so heavily on highways, check for construction or traffic updates on I-40 before you head out to ensure a smooth transition. Having your $22 fuel budget ready at the start simplifies your only planned stop. Taking advantage of the route's inherent flexibility allows you to adjust your pace based on real-time traffic conditions.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.9 miles from Smyrna, TN, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.2 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.9 miles or 1h 32m 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 22m
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 Smyrna, 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 Smyrna, TN
This is one driving day of about 141.8 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Smyrna, 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 Tennessee National Guard Parkway for about 52.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.9 mi from Smyrna, TN · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 70.9 miles from Smyrna, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Murfreesboro, 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
$21.54 one way
$43.08 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $23.74 | $47.49 |
| premium | $4.80 | $26.77 | $53.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.50 | $63.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.89 | $6.81 |
| Efficient EV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.41 | $5.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.7 | 0 | $19.85 | $9.08 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Murfreesboro, TN
Evening in Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
7:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
2h 54m 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 Smyrna, TN to Murfreesboro, TN covers 141.8 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tennessee National Guard Parkway, I 40, US 641. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.9 miles from Smyrna, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.54 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 141.8 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 4.5 miles (SR 114): Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (US 70; SR 114 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Smyrna, TN to Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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