How far is Central, TN from Nashville, TN?
The driving distance from Central, TN to Nashville, TN is about 287.8 miles (463.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 01m 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 30m.
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 Roane County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central and Nashville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central and Nashville.
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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
-
3
Turn straight
71 m · 10 sec
-
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
-
6
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14.3 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
-
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
-
9
Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville
1.1 km · 45 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 59 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
154.8 mi · 2 hr 47 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
2.1 mi · 3 min
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
1725 ft · 28 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
1.1 mi · 2 min · Downtown Loop
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15
Take the exit straight toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
1033 ft · 35 sec
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16
Turn straight onto James Robertson Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min · James Robertson Parkway
-
17
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
39 m · 7 sec · 3rd Avenue North
-
18
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
1652 ft · 43 sec · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
-
19
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
1260 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue North
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central and Nashville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 West
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers near Nashville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central to Nashville?
The road trip is about 287.8 miles (463.2 km) and usually takes 04h 30m 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?
Kingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.7 miles from Central and 144.1 miles from Nashville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.1 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 7:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.28 one way or $76.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Central and Nashville, 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 Slight Chance Rain Showers near Nashville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central and Nashville. Straight-line distance: 250.69 mi (403.44 km).
#1 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 36.3262200, -82.2895800 |
| Altitude | 505 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Nashville
The twenty-second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Nashville metropolitan area.
| Population | 684,410 |
| Coordinates | 36.1658900, -86.7844400 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-86.784719, 36.165773)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 463 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.28 | $76.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.17 | $86.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.24 | $94.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.84 | $107.67 |
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.