How far is Decatur, TN from Nashville, TN?
The driving distance from Decatur, TN to Nashville, TN is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m 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 46m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Nashville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Nashville.
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1
Start on Highway 58
1196 ft · 25 sec · Highway 58
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2
Turn left onto River Road
8.7 mi · 15 min · River Road
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3
Turn left
3194 ft · 50 sec
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4
Continue on Watts Bar Highway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Watts Bar Highway
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5
Turn right onto New Lake Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · New Lake Road
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6
Continue on Piccadilly Avenue
2655 ft · 53 sec · Piccadilly Avenue
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7
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
635 ft · 13 sec · Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
1448 ft · 31 sec · Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
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9
Continue on Wassom Memorial Highway
19.8 mi · 30 min · Wassom Memorial Highway
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10
Turn straight
7.7 mi · 12 min
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11
Take the exit left
983 ft · 24 sec
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12
Merge slight left
104.1 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
2.1 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
1725 ft · 28 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
1.1 mi · 2 min · Downtown Loop
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16
Take the exit straight toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
1033 ft · 35 sec
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17
Turn straight onto James Robertson Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min · James Robertson Parkway
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18
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
39 m · 7 sec · 3rd Avenue North
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19
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
1652 ft · 43 sec · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
1260 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue North
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur 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.
Wassom Memorial Highway
Merge slight left
104 mi · 01h 52m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Decatur and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Nashville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Nashville?
The road trip is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
Cookeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.4 miles from Decatur and 83.1 miles from Nashville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 41 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 12:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.49 one way or $42.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Decatur and Nashville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Decatur and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Nashville.
Stop Ideas Near Cookeville
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 Cookeville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Nashville. Straight-line distance: 120.42 mi (193.79 km).
#1 Decatur
Human settlement in Meigs County, Tennessee, United States of America
| Population | 1,663 |
| Coordinates | 35.5147900, -84.7902200 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| 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: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.49 | $42.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.53 | $53.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.23 | $60.47 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.