How far is Franklin, TN from Central, TN?
The driving distance from Franklin, TN to Central, TN is about 171.9 miles (276.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.6 miles (240.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 26m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Mostly Sunny
Mostly 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.
-
1
Start on Public Square
99 m · 6 sec · Public Square
-
2
Exit the rotary onto Main Street
872 ft · 21 sec · Main Street
-
3
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
655 ft · 21 sec · 5th Avenue North
-
4
Turn left onto State Highway 96
11.8 mi · 15 min · State Highway 96
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5
At the end of the road, turn left
5.4 mi · 6 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
7
Continue on Highway 96
2.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 96
-
8
Take the exit left
1126 ft · 27 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
115.6 mi · 2 hr 4 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
1247 ft · 32 sec
-
11
Turn right onto East Main Street
9.5 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward West Main Street
122 m · 11 sec · West Main Street
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13
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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14
Turn right onto Haralson Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Haralson Street
-
15
Turn right
15.7 mi · 23 min
-
16
Turn right onto Eastland Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Eastland Avenue
-
17
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Highland Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
980 ft · 25 sec · South Jefferson Street
-
19
Turn left onto South Washington Street
81 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
-
20
Turn right onto Monroe Street
140 m · 13 sec · Monroe Street
-
21
Turn left onto Lake Drive
575 ft · 11 sec · Lake Drive
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22
Turn straight onto Cleveland Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Street
-
23
Continue on Edith-Nankipoo Road
2.7 mi · 7 min · Edith-Nankipoo Road
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Edith-Nankipoo Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Central.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Highway 96
Merge slight left
116 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.
Patchy Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Franklin and Mostly 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 171.9 miles (276.6 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?
Pleasant Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.7 miles from Franklin and 86.1 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.6 miles (240.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:06 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.35 one way or $44.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Mostly Sunny around Franklin and Mostly Sunny near Central.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Hill
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 Pleasant Hill.
Fulton
Newbern–Dyersburg
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Central. Straight-line distance: 149.64 mi (240.83 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 | 35.8036900, -89.5373000 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-89.5373, 35.80369)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.68 | $22.35 | $44.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $25.19 | $50.38 |
| Premium | $4.56 | $27.70 | $55.39 |
| Diesel | $5.90 | $35.79 | $71.59 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026