How far is Dayton, TN from Franklin, TN?
The driving distance from Dayton, TN to Franklin, TN is about 157.3 miles (253.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 108.3 miles (174.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 42m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dayton and Franklin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton and Franklin.
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1
Start on 2nd Avenue
48 m · 11 sec · 2nd Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Market Street
105 m · 14 sec · Market Street
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3
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
1270 ft · 22 sec · 3rd Avenue
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4
Turn right
15.8 mi · 18 min
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5
Take the exit slight right
2468 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
5.4 mi · 6 min
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7
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 14 min
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8
Continue straight
12.6 mi · 17 min
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9
Turn left onto State Highway 8
7.3 mi · 10 min · State Highway 8
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10
Continue on Harrison Ferry Road
12.3 mi · 17 min · Harrison Ferry Road
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11
Turn slight right onto Beersheba Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Beersheba Highway
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12
Continue on East Colville Street
2452 ft · 46 sec · East Colville Street
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13
Turn right onto South Chancery Street
645 ft · 20 sec · South Chancery Street
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14
Turn left onto West Morford Street
1334 ft · 27 sec · West Morford Street
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15
Continue on West Main Street
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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16
Continue on Nashville Highway
10.2 mi · 12 min · Nashville Highway
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17
Continue on McMinnville Highway
8.1 mi · 11 min · McMinnville Highway
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18
Continue on East Main Street
1 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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19
Continue on John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi · 18 min · John Bragg Highway
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20
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi · 5 min · South Rutherford Boulevard
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21
Turn left onto South Church Street
1729 ft · 23 sec · South Church Street
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22
Take the exit right toward I 24 West: Nashville
1909 ft · 47 sec
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23
Merge slight left
6.5 mi · 7 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
1.4 km · 2 min
-
25
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
2443 ft · 46 sec
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27
Turn right onto Horton Highway
2665 ft · 58 sec · Horton Highway
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28
Turn left onto Murfreesboro Road
12.8 mi · 19 min · Murfreesboro Road
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29
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
1761 ft · 35 sec · 3rd Avenue South
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30
Enter the roundabout toward Public Square
121 m · 7 sec · Public Square
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Public Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dayton and Franklin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn right
15.8 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Dayton and Sunny near Franklin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dayton to Franklin?
The road trip is about 157.3 miles (253.2 km) and usually takes 02h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
McMinnville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.5 miles from Dayton and 86.9 miles from Franklin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 108.3 miles (174.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 49 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.93 one way or $41.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Dayton and Franklin, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dayton and Sunny near Franklin.
Stop Ideas Near McMinnville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McMinnville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dayton and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 108.32 mi (174.33 km).
#1 Dayton
City and county seat in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 7,332 |
| Coordinates | 35.4939600, -85.0124500 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| 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: 253 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.93 | $41.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.60 | $47.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.83 | $51.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.44 | $58.87 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.