How far is Knoxville, TN from Franklin, TN?
The driving distance from Knoxville, TN to Franklin, TN is about 196.7 miles (316.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.9 miles (265.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 57m.
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 Knoxville and Franklin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Franklin.
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1
Start on Henley Street
1056 ft · 20 sec · Henley Street
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2
Continue on Henley Street
727 ft · 14 sec · Henley Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Western Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Western Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
2326 ft · 43 sec · Ailor Avenue
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West, I 75 South
1637 ft · 40 sec
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6
Merge slight left
18.3 mi · 21 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
154.8 mi · 2 hr 47 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
1.3 km · 1 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 440 West: Memphis
2313 ft · 52 sec
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10
Continue on Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
638 ft · 16 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville
825 ft · 16 sec
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13
Continue on 65: Huntsville
2711 ft · 58 sec
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14
Merge slight left
14.1 mi · 15 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
1498 ft · 40 sec
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16
Turn right onto Murfreesboro Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Murfreesboro Road
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17
Continue on 3rd Avenue South
1761 ft · 34 sec · 3rd Avenue South
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18
Enter the roundabout toward Public Square
121 m · 7 sec · Public Square
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Public Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville and Franklin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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 Knoxville and Sunny near Franklin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knoxville to Franklin?
The road trip is about 196.7 miles (316.5 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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 miles from Knoxville and 98.6 miles from Franklin.
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 31.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.17 one way or $52.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Knoxville and Franklin, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Knoxville and Sunny near Franklin.
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 Knoxville and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 164.92 mi (265.42 km).
#1 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Franklin
The second most populous city in Williamson County, Tennessee.
| Population | 85,316 |
| Coordinates | 35.9250600, -86.8688900 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Public Square (-86.868874, 35.925004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 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 | $26.17 | $52.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.52 | $59.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.30 | $64.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.81 | $73.62 |
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.