How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Athens, TN?

The driving distance from Murfreesboro, TN to Athens, TN is about 158 miles (254.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.7 miles (168.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m 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
157.99 mi
03h 02m
Flight
104.68 mi
168.47 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Murfreesboro.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.68 mi
Kilometers
168.47 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.99 mi
Kilometers
254.26 km
Drive Time
03h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Athens
Tue, Apr 14, 11:46 PM EDT
Return by in Murfreesboro
Wed, Apr 15, 1:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Murfreesboro
2026-04-14T19:44
Arrive Athens
Tue, Apr 14, 10:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 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
10:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Murfreesboro
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
Jasper
TN

Tennessee town

From Murfreesboro
79 mi
01h 31m
To Athens
79 mi
01h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 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 Murfreesboro and Athens.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Spring Street

    89 m · 17 sec · South Spring Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Vine Street

    113 m · 24 sec · East Vine Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Church Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · South Church Street

  4. 4

    Take the exit left toward I 24 East: Chattanooga

    2029 ft · 50 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    103.4 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville

    1.4 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    46.6 mi · 52 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur

    1574 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Decatur Pike

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Decatur Pike

  10. 10

    Continue on Green Street

    2926 ft · 53 sec · Green Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Washington Avenue

    766 ft · 15 sec · Washington Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Murfreesboro 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
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 24 East
104 mi · 66%
I 75 North
47.5 mi · 30%
Decatur Pike
3.24 mi · 2%
South Church Street
2.44 mi · 2%
Green Street
0.55 mi
SR 30
0.3 mi
Longest Stretch

I 24 East

Merge slight left

103 mi · 01h 57m

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 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+53.3 mi
104.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jasper
01h 31m from Murfreesboro
Leave By
10:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro to Athens?

The road trip is about 158 miles (254.3 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?

Jasper is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79 miles from Murfreesboro and 79 miles from Athens.

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

The direct path is about 104.7 miles (168.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.3 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 10:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.00 one way or $42.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro and Mostly Sunny near Athens.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Murfreesboro and Athens. Straight-line distance: 104.68 mi (168.47 km).

Murfreesboro

#1 Murfreesboro

The second most populous city in Tennessee.

Population150,757
Coordinates35.8456200, -86.3902700
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
Athens

#2 Athens

Town in Tennessee, United States

Population14,120
Coordinates35.4428500, -84.5929900
Altitude262
CountryUnited States
Start: Murfreesboro (-86.39027, 35.84562)
End: Athens (-84.59299, 35.44285)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 254 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
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
5.57 gal
21.1 L · about $21.00
Round trip
$42.01
11.14 gal · 42.2 L
Estimated CO2
49.5 kg one way
Round trip: 99 kg / 218 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.00 $42.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.69 $47.38
Premium $4.65 $25.92 $51.85
Diesel $5.30 $29.54 $59.09

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 Murfreesboro, TN and Athens, TN. The current time in Murfreesboro is 19:44:10, although it is 20:44:10 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.