How far is Gallatin, TN from Athens, TN?

The driving distance from Gallatin, TN to Athens, TN is about 158.1 miles (254.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 122.6 miles (197.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 48m 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
158.08 mi
03h 24m
Flight
122.58 mi
197.28 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gallatin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
122.58 mi
Kilometers
197.28 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
158.08 mi
Kilometers
254.4 km
Drive Time
03h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Athens
Wed, Apr 15, 12:08 AM EDT
Return by in Gallatin
Wed, Apr 15, 2:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gallatin
2026-04-14T19:44
Arrive Athens
Tue, Apr 14, 11:08 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 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
10:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gallatin
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
Monterey
TN

Town in Tennessee, United States

From Gallatin
79 mi
01h 42m
To Athens
79.1 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
85°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Gallatin and Athens.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gallatin and Athens.

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    21 m · 5 sec · West Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Water Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Water Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    7.1 mi · 12 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    3.6 mi · 4 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto I 40 East: Knoxville

    2310 ft · 58 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    85.2 mi · 1 hr 32 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown

    1387 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto North Main Street

    7.6 mi · 12 min · North Main Street

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    20.1 mi · 30 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway

    635 ft · 13 sec · Herb M Wassom Mem Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Piccadilly Avenue

    2655 ft · 55 sec · Piccadilly Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on New Lake Road

    3.4 mi · 6 min · New Lake Road

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Watts Bar Highway

    10 mi · 14 min · Watts Bar Highway

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    39 m · 2 sec

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout

    12 m · 1 sec

  17. 17

    Turn slight right

    2 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Turn right onto St Hwy 305

    6.9 mi · 12 min · St Hwy 305

  19. 19

    Continue on Highway 305

    4 mi · 6 min · Highway 305

  20. 20

    Continue on Ingleside Avenue

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Ingleside Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Washington Avenue

    766 ft · 15 sec · Washington Avenue

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gallatin and Athens.

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
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
85.6 mi · 54%
North Main Street
27.7 mi · 18%
South Water Avenue
14.6 mi · 9%
Watts Bar Highway
10 mi · 6%
St Hwy 305
6.86 mi · 4%
Highway 305
4.02 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left

85.2 mi · 01h 32m

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
03h 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.5 mi
122.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monterey
01h 42m from Gallatin
Leave By
10:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Gallatin and Mostly Sunny near Athens.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gallatin to Athens?

The road trip is about 158.1 miles (254.4 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?

Monterey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79 miles from Gallatin and 79.1 miles from Athens.

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

The direct path is about 122.6 miles (197.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 10:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.04 one way or $42.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gallatin and Mostly Sunny near Athens.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gallatin and Athens. Straight-line distance: 122.58 mi (197.28 km).

Gallatin

#1 Gallatin

The most populous city in Sumner County, Tennessee.

Population44,335
Coordinates36.3883800, -86.4466600
Altitude164
CountryUnited States
Athens

#2 Athens

Town in Tennessee, United States

Population14,120
Coordinates35.4428500, -84.5929900
Altitude262
CountryUnited States
Start: Gallatin (-86.44666, 36.38838)
End: Athens (-84.59299, 35.44285)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 254 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.58 gal
21.12 L · about $21.04
Round trip
$42.08
11.16 gal · 42.24 L
Estimated CO2
49.6 kg one way
Round trip: 99.2 kg / 219 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.04 $42.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.73 $47.46
Premium $4.65 $25.97 $51.94
Diesel $5.30 $29.60 $59.19

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 15, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Gallatin, TN and Athens, TN. The current time in Gallatin is 19:44:08, although it is 20:44:08 in Athens.

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.