How far is Gatlinburg, TN from Franklin, TN?

The driving distance from Gatlinburg, TN to Franklin, TN is about 237.3 miles (381.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 188.6 miles (303.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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
237.3 mi
04h 01m
Flight
188.63 mi
303.57 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gatlinburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
188.63 mi
Kilometers
303.57 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
237.3 mi
Kilometers
381.89 km
Drive Time
04h 01m

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 04h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Thu, Apr 16, 9:17 AM CDT
Return by in Gatlinburg
Thu, Apr 16, 2:18 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gatlinburg
2026-04-16T06:15
Arrive Franklin
Thu, Apr 16, 10:17 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM CDT

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

Leave by
8:58 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gatlinburg
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Monterey
TN

Town in Tennessee, United States

From Gatlinburg
116.8 mi
02h 00m
To Franklin
120.5 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    16 m · 4 sec

  2. 2

    Turn slight right

    108 m · 32 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Parkway

    1.2 mi · 4 min · Parkway

  4. 4

    Continue on Gatlinburg Spur Road

    4.2 mi · 8 min · Gatlinburg Spur Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Parkway

    7.1 mi · 12 min · Parkway

  6. 6

    Take the exit left toward US 411 North

    38 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Forks of the River Parkway

    3212 ft · 50 sec · Forks of the River Parkway

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Chapman Highway

    22.1 mi · 26 min · Chapman Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Henley Street

    1 km · 1 min · Henley Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Henley Street

    727 ft · 14 sec · Henley Street

  12. 12

    Turn slight left onto Western Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Western Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Ailor Avenue

    2326 ft · 43 sec · Ailor Avenue

  14. 14

    Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West, I 75 South

    1637 ft · 40 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    18.3 mi · 21 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

    154.8 mi · 2 hr 47 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga

    1.3 km · 1 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 440 West: Memphis

    2313 ft · 52 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville

    638 ft · 16 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville

    825 ft · 16 sec

  22. 22

    Continue on 65: Huntsville

    2711 ft · 58 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    14.1 mi · 15 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro

    1498 ft · 40 sec

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Murfreesboro Road

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Murfreesboro Road

  26. 26

    Continue on 3rd Avenue South

    1761 ft · 35 sec · 3rd Avenue South

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout toward Public Square

    121 m · 7 sec · Public Square

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Public Square

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
28 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nashville
155 mi · 65%
Chapman Highway
22.1 mi · 9%
I 40 West
18.6 mi · 8%
65
14.7 mi · 6%
Parkway
8.27 mi · 3%
Gatlinburg Spur Road
4.18 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Nashville

Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

155 mi · 02h 47m

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
04h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.7 mi
188.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monterey
02h 00m from Gatlinburg
Leave By
8:58 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Gatlinburg and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 237.3 miles (381.9 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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 116.8 miles from Gatlinburg and 120.5 miles from Franklin.

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

The direct path is about 188.6 miles (303.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.7 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:58 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.56 one way or $63.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gatlinburg and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Franklin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gatlinburg and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 188.63 mi (303.57 km).

Gatlinburg

#1 Gatlinburg

Resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee

Population3,779
Coordinates35.7145300, -83.5118900
Altitude394
CountryUnited States
Franklin

#2 Franklin

The second most populous city in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Population85,316
Coordinates35.9250600, -86.8688900
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: (-83.5117, 35.714472)
End: Public Square (-86.868874, 35.925004)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 382 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.37 gal
31.7 L · about $31.56
Round trip
$63.13
16.74 gal · 63.4 L
Estimated CO2
74.4 kg one way
Round trip: 148.8 kg / 328 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.56 $63.13
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.60 $71.20
Premium $4.65 $38.95 $77.91
Diesel $5.30 $44.39 $88.79

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 16, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Gatlinburg, TN and Franklin, TN. The current time in Gatlinburg is 06:15:59, although it is 05:15:59 in Franklin.

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.