How far is Franklin, TN from Rutherford, TN?
The driving distance from Franklin, TN to Rutherford, TN is about 159.8 miles (257.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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 04m.
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.
Town 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 Rutherford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Rutherford.
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1
Start on Public Square
99 m · 6 sec · Public Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto Main Street
872 ft · 21 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
655 ft · 21 sec · 5th Avenue North
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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
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6
Take the exit slight right
2.4 mi · 3 min
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7
Continue on Highway 96
2.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 96
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8
Take the exit left
1126 ft · 27 sec
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9
Merge slight left
99.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Trenton
1704 ft · 42 sec
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11
Turn right onto North Highland Avenue
4.4 mi · 8 min · North Highland Avenue
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12
Take the ramp slight right
9.8 mi · 13 min
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13
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
20.1 mi · 23 min · North Central Avenue
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14
Turn right
903 ft · 23 sec
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15
Turn left onto North Main Street
3135 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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16
Continue on South Trenton Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · South Trenton Street
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17
Turn right onto East Main Street
32 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Rutherford.
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
99.4 mi · 01h 47m
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.
Sunny leaving Franklin and Sunny near Rutherford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Rutherford?
The road trip is about 159.8 miles (257.2 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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 79.8 miles from Franklin and 80 miles from Rutherford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.7 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 10:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.27 one way or $42.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Franklin and Sunny near Rutherford.
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 Rutherford. Straight-line distance: 119.12 mi (191.7 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 Rutherford
County in Tennessee, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 36.1275700, -88.9859000 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rutherford (-88.9859, 36.12757)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.27 | $42.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.99 | $47.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.25 | $52.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.91 | $59.83 |
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.