How far is Bristol, TN from Franklin, TN?

The driving distance from Bristol, TN to Franklin, TN is about 308.2 miles (496 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 264.8 miles (426.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
308.19 mi
04h 36m
Flight
264.79 mi
426.14 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bristol.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
264.79 mi
Kilometers
426.14 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
308.19 mi
Kilometers
495.99 km
Drive Time
04h 36m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Mon, May 4, 6:45 PM CDT
Return by in Bristol
Tue, May 5, 12:21 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bristol
2026-05-04T15:08
Arrive Franklin
Mon, May 4, 7:45 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:46 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bristol
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Midtown
TN

Neighborhood in Manhattan in New York City

From Bristol
153.9 mi
02h 18m
To Franklin
154.3 mi
02h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Monday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
80°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bristol and Franklin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bristol and Franklin.

  1. 1

    Start on West State Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West State Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Gate City Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Gate City Highway

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1873 ft · 46 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    75.6 mi · 1 hr 21 min

  5. 5

    Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville

    1.1 km · 45 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    52.8 mi · 59 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

    154.8 mi · 2 hr 47 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga

    1.3 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 440 West: Memphis

    2313 ft · 52 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville

    638 ft · 16 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville

    825 ft · 16 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on 65: Huntsville

    2711 ft · 58 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    14.1 mi · 15 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro

    1498 ft · 40 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Murfreesboro Road

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Murfreesboro Road

  17. 17

    Continue on 3rd Avenue South

    1761 ft · 35 sec · 3rd Avenue South

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout toward Public Square

    121 m · 7 sec · Public Square

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Public Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bristol and Franklin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
19 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nashville
155 mi · 50%
Gate City Highway
77 mi · 25%
I 40 West
53.5 mi · 17%
65
14.7 mi · 5%
Murfreesboro Road
2.34 mi · 1%
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.15 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Nashville

Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

155 mi · 02h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 36m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.4 mi
264.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Midtown
02h 18m from Bristol
Leave By
7:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bristol and Mostly Sunny near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Franklin?

The road trip is about 308.2 miles (496 km) and usually takes 04h 36m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Midtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.9 miles from Bristol and 154.3 miles from Franklin.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 264.8 miles (426.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:46 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.03 one way or $82.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.7 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Bristol and Franklin, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Bristol and Mostly Sunny near Franklin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 264.79 mi (426.14 km).

Bristol

#1 Bristol

City in Tennessee

Population27,142
Coordinates36.5951100, -82.1887400
Altitude511
CountryUnited States
Franklin

#2 Franklin

The second most populous city in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Population85,316
Coordinates35.9250600, -86.8688900
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: West State Street (-82.188739, 36.595132)
End: Public Square (-86.868874, 35.925004)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 496 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.88 gal
41.17 L · about $41.03
Round trip
$82.06
21.76 gal · 82.34 L
Estimated CO2
96.7 kg one way
Round trip: 193.4 kg / 426 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $41.03 $82.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $46.27 $92.55
Premium $4.65 $50.64 $101.27
Diesel $5.30 $57.71 $115.42

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Tennessee · May 04, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Bristol, TN and Franklin, TN. The current time in Bristol is 15:08:32, although it is 14:08:32 in Franklin.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.