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Trip from Walnut Hill, TN to Nashville, TN

Drive Time

5h 19m

Distance

288 mi

464 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 6m ★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Nashville, TN, TN

Nashville, TN

MINEIA MARTINS

Trip Overview

The drive from Walnut Hill, TN to Nashville, TN covers 288 miles and takes about 5h 19m 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, Bristol Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 209.8 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.74 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

144 miles from Walnut Hill, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 19m highway drive covering 288 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 209.8 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 19 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 209.8 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 5.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 288 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 5.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 128.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

6
5.8 mi into trip | ~9m in

Turn left toward I 81 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 81 South
7
128.1 mi into trip | ~2h 23m 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
9
283 mi into trip | ~5h 10m 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
285.1 mi into trip | ~5h 13m 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
286.5 mi into trip | ~5h 15m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 209.8 mi 3h 49m
I 81 69.2 mi 1h 14m
Bristol Highway 3.6 mi 5m
Blountville Highway 1.1 mi 1m
Downtown Loop 1.1 mi 1m
Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway 1 mi 1m
James Robertson Parkway 0.7 mi 1m
I 24 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 209.8 mi, about 3h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Walnut Hill, TN and Nashville, TN.

1

Start on Walnut Hill Road

41 ft · 3 sec · Walnut Hill Road
2

Turn right onto SR 126

1.1 mi · 1 min · Blountville Highway
3

Continue on SR 126

3.2 mi · 4 min · Bristol Highway
4

Continue on SR 126

0.5 mi · 46 sec · Bristol Highway
5

Turn right onto TN 394; I 81 Alt

1.0 mi · 1 min · Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
6

Turn left

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 81 South Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto I 81

68 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 81
8

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81
Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
9

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40
Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 3 min · I 40
Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 24

0.3 mi · 28 sec · I 24
Exit 211 Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 24

1.1 mi · 1 min · Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 48 Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol Use the right lane.
15

Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431

0.7 mi · 1 min · James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North

129 ft · 6 sec · 3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
17

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.
18

Turn right onto 7th Avenue North

0.2 mi · 1 min · 7th Avenue North
19

Arrive at destination

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 144 miles from Walnut Hill, TN, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.8 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 144 miles or 2h 40m 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 19m

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 Walnut Hill, 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 Walnut Hill, TN

This is one driving day of about 288 miles and 5h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Walnut Hill, 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 209.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 144 mi from Walnut Hill, TN · 2h 40m into the drive

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

144 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.

Popular next leg

Johnson, TN to Nashville, TN

162.9 mi · 3h 16m

Pacing Suggestions

Knoxville, 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 144 miles from Walnut Hill, 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 209.8 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

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 268.2
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 89.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.74 one way

$87.49 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $48.22 $96.45
premium $4.80 $54.37 $108.74
diesel $5.64 $63.98 $127.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.4 1 $30.24 $13.82
Efficient EV 72 0 $25.20 $11.52
EV Truck/SUV 115.2 1 $40.32 $18.43

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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.

Forecast data refreshed 10 hours ago

Origin

Walnut Hill, TN

Afternoon in Walnut Hill on Monday

Local time

1:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Nashville, TN

Afternoon in Nashville on Monday

Local time

12:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

144 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

11 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

5h 19m 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 Walnut Hill, TN to Nashville, TN covers 288 miles and takes about 5h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Bristol Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144 miles from Walnut Hill, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.74 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 15 significant decision points across 288 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 5.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 128.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Walnut Hill, TN to Nashville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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