How far is Franklin, TN from Bristol, TN?

The driving distance from Franklin, TN to Bristol, TN is about 308.3 miles (496.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 264.8 miles (426.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
308.24 mi
05h 40m
Flight
264.79 mi
426.14 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Franklin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
264.79 mi
Kilometers
426.14 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
308.24 mi
Kilometers
496.07 km
Drive Time
05h 40m

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 05h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bristol
Mon, May 4, 10:11 PM EDT
Return by in Franklin
Tue, May 5, 2:51 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Franklin
2026-05-04T15:30
Arrive Bristol
Mon, May 4, 9:11 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:40 PM to 2:40 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Franklin
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Midtown
TN

Neighborhood in Manhattan in New York City

From Franklin
153.9 mi
02h 50m
To Bristol
154.3 mi
02h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Monday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Bristol.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Bristol.

  1. 1

    Start on Public Square

    127 m · 7 sec · Public Square

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto 3rd Avenue South

    1778 ft · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South

  3. 3

    Continue on Murfreesboro Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Murfreesboro Road

  4. 4

    Take the exit left

    1707 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    14.1 mi · 15 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville

    1280 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

    2341 ft · 56 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

    2 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville

    2515 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville

    1506 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    1328 ft · 21 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville

    1646 ft · 40 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    171.2 mi · 3 hr 6 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    36.7 mi · 41 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

    76.3 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 58, US 421: Bristol, Gate City

    1928 ft · 47 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    135 m · 12 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Gate City Highway

    1.6 km · 2 min · Gate City Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on West State Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West State Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West State Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Bristol.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
20 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
208 mi · 68%
I 81 North
76.3 mi · 25%
Murfreesboro Road
16.8 mi · 5%
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.01 mi · 1%
West State Street
1.23 mi
I 24 West
1.01 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left

171 mi · 03h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.5 mi
264.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Midtown
02h 50m from Franklin
Leave By
5:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Franklin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bristol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Bristol?

The road trip is about 308.3 miles (496.1 km) and usually takes 05h 40m 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?

Midtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.9 miles from Franklin and 154.3 miles from Bristol.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 264.8 miles (426.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.5 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 5:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.03 one way or $82.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.7 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Franklin and Bristol, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Franklin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bristol.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 264.79 mi (426.14 km).

Franklin

#1 Franklin

The second most populous city in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Population85,316
Coordinates35.9250600, -86.8688900
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Bristol

#2 Bristol

City in Tennessee

Population27,142
Coordinates36.5951100, -82.1887400
Altitude511
CountryUnited States
Start: Franklin (-86.86889, 35.92506)
End: Bristol (-82.18874, 36.59511)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 496 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.88 gal
41.17 L · about $41.03
Round trip
$82.06
21.76 gal · 82.34 L
Estimated CO2
96.7 kg one way
Round trip: 193.4 kg / 426 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $41.03 $82.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $46.27 $92.55
Premium $4.65 $50.64 $101.27
Diesel $5.30 $57.71 $115.42

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 04, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Franklin, TN and Bristol, TN. The current time in Franklin is 15:30:50, although it is 16:30:50 in Bristol.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.