Traveling from Spring City to Nashville covers 140 miles of Tennessee landscape, typically taking about 2 hours and 21 minutes behind the wheel. This journey remains entirely within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward trek from the eastern part of the state toward the capital. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting roughly $21 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. It functions well as a direct day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the fatigue of a multi-day haul.
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
68.9 miles from Spring City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 137.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies on Piccadilly Avenue and the Herb M Wassom Memorial Highway. The path features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate local roads for the duration of the 140-mile trip. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Piccadilly Avenue is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent turns and a more engaged driving experience. This is not a high-speed sprint, but rather a winding transit through the region that requires your full attention on the road surface.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 106.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,980 ft500 ft
Total Climb
1,549 ft
Total Descent
1,763 ft
Highest Point
1,980 ft
~39.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,480 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Wassom Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Piccadilly Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 137.9 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: near the start (Piccadilly Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 132.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Piccadilly Avenue
Turn left onto Piccadilly Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
132.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
9
134.9 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
8
136.4 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
6
137.3 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
106.3 mi
1h 55m
Wassom Memorial Highway
19.8 mi
29m
US 127
7.7 mi
12m
Downtown Loop
1.1 mi
1m
James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
1m
Piccadilly Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
I 24
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 106.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spring City, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on US 27
77 ft·8 sec·Rhea County Highway
2
Turn left onto Piccadilly Avenue
0.5 mi·53 sec·Piccadilly Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
0.1 mi·13 sec·Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
4
At end of road, turn right onto SR 68
0.3 mi·30 sec·Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
5
Continue on SR 68
20 mi·29 min·Wassom Memorial Highway
6
Turn straight onto US 127
7.7 mi·12 min·US 127
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
8
Merge onto I 40
104 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi·1 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 48Toward James Robertson Parkway, State CapitolUse the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi·1 min·James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft·6 sec·3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi·43 sec·Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi·1 min·7th Avenue North
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the technical nature of the turn-heavy roads, planning your departure for daylight hours is a smart way to navigate the local routes more comfortably. You have plenty of flexibility since the drive is just over two hours, but keep in mind that there are no formal stops scheduled into this itinerary. Because the route is entirely local, be mindful of your speed and fuel levels before leaving Spring City, as you won't be relying on major interstates for quick access to services. If you feel the need to stretch your legs, identify a safe spot to pull over along the Wassom Memorial Highway before you reach the busier Nashville traffic.
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 68.9 miles from Spring City, TN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.3 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 30 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 27m 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 14m
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 Spring City, 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 Spring City, TN
This is one driving day of about 137.9 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Spring City, 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 106.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.9 mi from Spring City, TN
· 1h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 68.9 miles from Spring City, 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 106.3 miles.
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.
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
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 118.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.56 one way
$43.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.67
$47.34
premium
$4.89
$26.54
$53.08
diesel
$5.61
$30.45
$60.89
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: 48.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.4
0
$14.48
$6.62
Efficient EV
34.5
0
$12.07
$5.52
EV Truck/SUV
55.2
0
$19.31
$8.83
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Spring City, TN
Late night
in Spring City on Saturday
Local time
3:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nashville, TN
Late night
in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
2:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
21 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
2h 45m 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 Spring City, TN to Nashville, TN covers 137.9 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Wassom Memorial Highway, US 127. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.9 miles from Spring City, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.56 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 12 significant decision points across 137.9 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: near the start (Piccadilly Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 132.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Spring City, TN to Nashville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 500 ft to 1,980 ft elevation with about 1,549 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
