How far is Franklin, TN from Dayton, TN?
The driving distance from Franklin, TN to Dayton, TN is about 141.2 miles (227.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 108.3 miles (174.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m 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 05m.
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.
City in Tennessee
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Dayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Dayton.
-
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
6.2 mi · 7 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 231 North: Murfreesboro
1308 ft · 37 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto South Church Street
2935 ft · 44 sec · South Church Street
-
11
Turn right onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi · 5 min · South Rutherford Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi · 19 min · John Bragg Highway
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13
Continue on West Main Street
1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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14
Continue on McMinnville Highway
8.2 mi · 11 min · McMinnville Highway
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15
Continue on Nashville Highway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Nashville Highway
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16
Continue on West Main Street
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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17
Continue on West Main Street
94 m · 12 sec · West Main Street
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18
Continue on West Main Street
1874 ft · 41 sec · West Main Street
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19
Continue on East Main Street
1884 ft · 43 sec · East Main Street
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Beersheba Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Beersheba Highway
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21
Turn slight left onto Harrison Ferry Road
12.3 mi · 17 min · Harrison Ferry Road
-
22
Continue on State Highway 8
7.3 mi · 10 min · State Highway 8
-
23
At the end of the road, turn right
12.6 mi · 17 min
-
24
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 14 min
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25
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 6 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right
1.4 km · 2 min
-
27
Merge slight left
15.8 mi · 19 min
-
28
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
946 ft · 23 sec · 3rd Avenue
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29
Turn left onto Church Street
107 m · 18 sec · Church Street
-
30
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
92 m · 13 sec · 2nd Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Dayton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 8
Merge slight left
15.8 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Mostly Clear leaving Franklin and Clear near Dayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Dayton?
The road trip is about 141.2 miles (227.3 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?
McMinnville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.6 miles from Franklin and 70.7 miles from Dayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 108.3 miles (174.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.9 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 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.78 one way or $37.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Franklin and Dayton, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Franklin and Clear near Dayton.
Stop Ideas Near McMinnville
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 McMinnville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Dayton. Straight-line distance: 108.32 mi (174.33 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 Dayton
City and county seat in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 7,332 |
| Coordinates | 35.4939600, -85.0124500 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dayton (-85.01245, 35.49396)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 227 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.78 | $37.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.18 | $42.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.18 | $46.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.41 | $52.83 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.