How far is Franklin, TN from Central, TN?
The driving distance from Franklin, TN to Central, TN is about 304.2 miles (489.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.1 miles (413.7 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.
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 05h 40m.
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 Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Central.
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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
2.4 mi · 4 min · Murfreesboro Road
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4
Take the exit left
1707 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
14.1 mi · 15 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville
1280 ft · 31 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
2341 ft · 56 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville
2515 ft · 48 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
1506 ft · 37 sec
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11
Merge slight left
1328 ft · 21 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville
1646 ft · 40 sec
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13
Merge slight left
171.2 mi · 3 hr 6 min
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14
Keep slight left
36.7 mi · 41 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
2112 ft · 40 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward TN 91
959 ft · 27 sec
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19
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
1133 ft · 39 sec · East Main Street
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20
Turn straight onto Legion Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Legion Street
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21
Turn left onto King Springs Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · King Springs Road
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22
Turn slight right onto Elizabethton Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Elizabethton Highway
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elizabethton Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Central.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Franklin and Partly Sunny near Central.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Central?
The road trip is about 304.2 miles (489.5 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?
Rockwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.9 miles from Franklin and 152.3 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.1 miles (413.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.1 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 5:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.46 one way or $80.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Franklin and Central, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Franklin and Partly Sunny near Central.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Central. Straight-line distance: 257.04 mi (413.66 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 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 36.3262200, -82.2895800 |
| Altitude | 505 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-82.28958, 36.32622)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 490 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.46 | $80.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.63 | $91.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.94 | $99.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.91 | $113.82 |
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.