How far is Franklin, TN from Tusculum, TN?

The driving distance from Franklin, TN to Tusculum, TN is about 269.7 miles (434 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 230.2 miles (370.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
269.64 mi
05h 00m
Flight
230.23 mi
370.52 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Franklin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
230.23 mi
Kilometers
370.52 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
269.64 mi
Kilometers
433.95 km
Drive Time
05h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tusculum
Mon, May 25, 10:05 AM EDT
Return by in Franklin
Mon, May 25, 2:06 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Franklin
2026-05-25T04:05
Arrive Tusculum
Mon, May 25, 9:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:01 PM to 2:01 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Franklin
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Crab Orchard
TN

Human settlement in Cumberland County, Tennessee, United States of America

From Franklin
134.7 mi
02h 30m
To Tusculum
135 mi
02h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Memorial Day

Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE
Destination
79°F
Memorial Day

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 mph

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Tusculum.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Tusculum.

  1. 1

    Start on Public Square

    127 m · 7 sec · Public Square

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto 3rd Avenue South

    1778 ft · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South

  3. 3

    Continue on Murfreesboro Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Murfreesboro Road

  4. 4

    Take the exit left

    1707 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    14.1 mi · 15 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 440: Memphis, Knoxville

    1280 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 440 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

    2341 ft · 56 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

    2 mi · 2 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 24 West: Nashville, Knoxville

    2515 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 24 West, I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville

    1506 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    1328 ft · 21 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville

    1646 ft · 40 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    171.2 mi · 3 hr 6 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    36.7 mi · 41 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

    22.7 mi · 24 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 11E: Mosheim, Greeneville, Bulls Gap

    2149 ft · 46 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Andrew Johnson Highway

    16.2 mi · 20 min · West Andrew Johnson Highway

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Erwin Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Erwin Highway

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Sam Doak Drive

    34 m · 10 sec · Sam Doak Drive

  20. 20

    Continue on Sam Doak Drive

    51 m · 9 sec · Sam Doak Drive

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sam Doak Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Tusculum.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
208 mi · 77%
I 81 North
22.7 mi · 8%
Murfreesboro Road
16.8 mi · 6%
West Andrew Johnson Highway
16.2 mi · 6%
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.01 mi · 1%
Erwin Highway
1.04 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.5 mi
230.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crab Orchard
02h 30m from Franklin
Leave By
6:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Franklin and Showers And Thunderstorms near Tusculum.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Tusculum?

The road trip is about 269.7 miles (434 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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?

Crab Orchard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.7 miles from Franklin and 135 miles from Tusculum.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 230.2 miles (370.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.5 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 6:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.90 one way or $71.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.6 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Franklin and Tusculum, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Franklin and Showers And Thunderstorms near Tusculum.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Tusculum. Straight-line distance: 230.23 mi (370.52 km).

Franklin

#1 Franklin

The second most populous city in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Population85,316
Coordinates35.9250600, -86.8688900
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Tusculum

City in Tennessee, United States

Population2,669
Coordinates36.1751000, -82.7587600
Altitude455
CountryUnited States
Start: Franklin (-86.86889, 35.92506)
End: Tusculum (-82.75876, 36.1751)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 434 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.52 gal
36.02 L · about $35.90
Round trip
$71.80
19.04 gal · 72.04 L
Estimated CO2
84.6 kg one way
Round trip: 169.2 kg / 373 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.90 $71.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.49 $80.98
Premium $4.65 $44.31 $88.61
Diesel $5.30 $50.49 $100.99

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 · May 25, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Franklin, TN and Tusculum, TN. The current time in Franklin is 04:05:07, although it is 05:05:07 in Tusculum.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.