How far is Franklin, TN from Athens, TN?
The driving distance from Franklin, TN to Athens, TN is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132 miles (212.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 03h 39m.
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.
Town in Franklin County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Athens.
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1
Start on Public Square
127 m · 7 sec · Public Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto 3rd Avenue South
1778 ft · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South
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3
Continue on Murfreesboro Road
12.8 mi · 19 min · Murfreesboro Road
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4
Turn right onto Horton Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Horton Highway
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 840 East: Murfreesboro
1.1 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10.1 mi · 11 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left
110 mi · 2 hr 4 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
1.4 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
46.6 mi · 52 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur
1574 ft · 29 sec
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12
Turn right onto Decatur Pike
3.2 mi · 5 min · Decatur Pike
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13
Continue on Green Street
2926 ft · 53 sec · Green Street
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14
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
766 ft · 15 sec · Washington Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Athens.
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 24 East
Merge slight left
110 mi · 02h 04m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Franklin and Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Athens?
The road trip is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?
Monteagle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.5 miles from Franklin and 93.6 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132 miles (212.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.1 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.89 one way or $49.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Franklin and Athens, 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 Franklin and Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Athens.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Athens. Straight-line distance: 132 mi (212.43 km).
#1 Franklin
The second most populous city in Williamson County, Tennessee.
| Population | 85,316 |
| Coordinates | 35.9250600, -86.8688900 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
Town in Tennessee, United States
| Population | 14,120 |
| Coordinates | 35.4428500, -84.5929900 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-84.59299, 35.44285)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.89 | $49.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.07 | $56.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.72 | $61.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.01 | $70.01 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.