How far is Franklin, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance from Franklin, TN to Knoxville, TN is about 196.5 miles (316.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.9 miles (265.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Knoxville.
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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
2.9 mi · 4 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2116 ft · 28 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
2403 ft · 56 sec
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17
Continue on Henley Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · Henley Street
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18
Continue on Henley Street
78 m · 12 sec · Henley Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Knoxville.
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 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 comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Franklin and Sunny near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 196.5 miles (316.3 km) and usually takes 02h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cookeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.1 miles from Franklin and 98.4 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.9 miles (265.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.13 one way or $52.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Franklin and Knoxville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Franklin and Sunny near Knoxville.
Stop Ideas Near Cookeville
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 Cookeville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 164.92 mi (265.42 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 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
End: US 11 (-83.920795, 35.960617)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.13 | $52.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.47 | $58.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.76 | $73.51 |
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.