Origin
Springfield, TN
Evening in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, TN to Nashville, TN
Drive Time
36m
Distance
28.9 mi
47 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 43m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, TN
Kelly
Nashville, TN
MINEIA MARTINS
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Springfield to Nashville, you are looking at a quick 28.9-mile journey that typically takes about 36 minutes. This route is a straightforward transition from the quiet surroundings of Robertson County into the heart of the Southeast’s most vibrant city. Because the travel time is under an hour, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $4 on fuel for the trip, making it an incredibly budget-friendly commute or getaway. Whether you are heading into the city for work or a quick visit, the brevity of this drive allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
14.4 miles from Springfield, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that blends local routes with a faster interstate leg. You will spend about 47% of your time on highways, navigating a combination of Tom Austin Highway and Whites Creek Pike before merging onto I-24. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 12.9-mile segment on I-24, which provides the most consistent speed during the trip. As you transition from the local roads onto the interstate, the pace of the drive shifts noticeably. This path offers a functional balance between the stop-and-go nature of local thoroughfares and the steady flow of the highway, keeping the drive engaging throughout its short duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 12.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.5 miles in near I 24.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 28.9 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: at 14.5 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.4 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 pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
14.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
23.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
8
27.4 mi into trip
|
~32m 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 slight right lane.
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
6
28.3 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
28.3 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Springfield, TN and Nashville, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and State Capitol.
Knoxville
26 mi in
|
~30m
|
via I 24
State Capitol
27.4 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 12.9 mi | 15m |
| Tom Austin Highway | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Whites Creek Pike | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Memorial Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 7th Avenue North | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| East 5th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 12.9 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, TN and Nashville, TN.
1
Start on South Main Street
45 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn right onto TN 49
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
East 5th Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 41; US 431
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 431
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Tom Austin Highway
5
Continue on US 431
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Whites Creek Pike
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto I 24
9.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 24
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
9
Continue on I 24
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 24
Exit 86
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, Knoxville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on Interstate Drive
374 ft
·
6 sec
·
Interstate Drive
12
Turn right onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
14
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.
15
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with no required stops, you have the freedom to depart whenever it best suits your plans. Keep in mind that while the 36-minute duration is standard, traffic patterns on I-24 can fluctuate during peak commuting hours, so check conditions before you head out. Because you only need about $4 in fuel to cover the 28.9 miles, there is no pressure to plan specific refueling breaks along the way. Your best strategy is to embrace the flexibility of a drive this brief; you can comfortably make the trip on a whim. For the smoothest experience, prioritize navigating the transition from the local highways onto the interstate during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion.
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 14.4 miles from Springfield, TN, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.9 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 28.9 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.4 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, TN
This is one driving day of about 28.9 miles and 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Springfield, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 12.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.4 mi from Springfield, TN · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 28.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.4 miles from Springfield, 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
$4.39 one way
$8.78 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.84 | $9.68 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.46 | $10.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.42 | $12.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.03 | $1.39 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.53 | $1.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.05 | $1.85 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Evening in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
1 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
36m 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 Springfield, TN to Nashville, TN covers 28.9 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Tom Austin Highway, Whites Creek Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.4 miles from Springfield, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.39 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 28.9 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: at 14.5 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Springfield, TN and Nashville, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and State Capitol.
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