How far is Central, TN from Franklin, TN?
The driving distance from Central, TN to Franklin, TN is about 302.3 miles (486.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.1 miles (413.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 46m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central and Franklin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central and Franklin.
-
1
Start on Elizabethton Highway
1.5 mi · 3 min · Elizabethton Highway
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2
Continue on East Main Street
1.8 mi · 5 min · East Main Street
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3
Turn straight
71 m · 10 sec
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4
Turn right onto Legion Street
722 ft · 15 sec · Legion Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right
747 ft · 18 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14.3 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Knoxville
1100 ft · 38 sec
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8
Merge slight left
56.4 mi · 1 hr
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9
Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville
1.1 km · 45 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 59 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
154.8 mi · 2 hr 47 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
1.3 km · 1 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 440 West: Memphis
2313 ft · 52 sec
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14
Continue on Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
638 ft · 16 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville
825 ft · 16 sec
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17
Continue on 65: Huntsville
2711 ft · 58 sec
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18
Merge slight left
14.1 mi · 15 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
1498 ft · 40 sec
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20
Turn right onto Murfreesboro Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Murfreesboro Road
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21
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
1761 ft · 35 sec · 3rd Avenue South
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22
Enter the roundabout toward Public Square
121 m · 7 sec · Public Square
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Public Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central and Franklin.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Central and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Franklin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central to Franklin?
The road trip is about 302.3 miles (486.5 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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?
Rockwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.9 miles from Central and 150.4 miles from Franklin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.1 miles (413.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.2 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 7:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.24 one way or $80.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Central and Franklin, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Central and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Franklin.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 257.04 mi (413.66 km).
#1 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 36.3262200, -82.2895800 |
| Altitude | 505 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Franklin
The second most populous city in Williamson County, Tennessee.
| Population | 85,316 |
| Coordinates | 35.9250600, -86.8688900 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Public Square (-86.868874, 35.925004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 487 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.24 | $80.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.38 | $90.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.66 | $99.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.59 | $113.19 |
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 · Apr 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.