Origin
Unicoi, TN
Morning in Unicoi on Wednesday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Unicoi, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 29m
Distance
295.3 mi
475 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 16m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 39m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 55m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Unicoi, TN
Wikimedia Commons
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
The drive from Unicoi, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN covers 295.3 miles and takes about 5h 29m 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 185.5 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.17 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
147.7 miles from Unicoi, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 5h 29m highway drive covering 295.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 185.5 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 20 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 185.5 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 24.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 295.3 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 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 134.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
24.3 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South: Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
7
134.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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
8
267.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 53m 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
289.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m 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
289.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m 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.
Between Unicoi, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Nashville
134.4 mi in
|
~2h 31m
|
via I 40
Murfreesboro
267.1 mi in
|
~4h 53m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 185.5 mi | 3h 22m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 23 mi | 27m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21 mi | 22m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| New Nashville Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Unicoi Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Golf Lane | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Unicoi, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on SR 173
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Unicoi Drive
2
Turn left onto SR 173
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
SR 173
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
4
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
23 mi
·
27 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
6
Merge onto I 81
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
7
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
8
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
133 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 235
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 840
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 55A-B
Toward US 41, US 70S: Murfreesboro, Smyrna
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 55A
Toward US 41 South, US 70S East: Murfreesbord
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
15
Turn straight onto US 41; US 70S
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
New Nashville Highway
16
Continue on US 41; US 70S
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Broad Street
17
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
18
Turn straight onto SR 96
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Old Fort Parkway
19
Turn right onto Golf Lane
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Golf Lane
20
Arrive at destination
Golf Lane
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.7 miles from Unicoi, TN, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Unicoi, 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 Unicoi, TN
This is one driving day of about 295.3 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Unicoi, 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 185.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.7 mi from Unicoi, TN · 2h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 147.7 miles from Unicoi, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.5 miles.
Arriving in City of Murfreesboro, TN
The final approach into City of 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 City of Murfreesboro, 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
$46.17 one way
$92.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $50.69 | $101.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $56.83 | $113.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $65.20 | $130.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.6 | 1 | $31.01 | $14.17 |
| Efficient EV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.84 | $11.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.1 | 1 | $41.34 | $18.90 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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.
Destination
City of Murfreesboro, TN
Late night in City of Murfreesboro on Wednesday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Rain Showers
SSW 10 to 15 mph
39% chance
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, TN
148 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.
Temperature spread
17 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
5h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Unicoi, TN to City of Murfreesboro, TN covers 295.3 miles and takes about 5h 29m 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 147.7 miles from Unicoi, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 12 significant decision points across 295.3 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 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 134.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Unicoi, TN and City of Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Murfreesboro.
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