How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Central, TN?

The driving distance from Murfreesboro, TN to Central, TN is about 288 miles (463.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 231.3 miles (372.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 46m 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
288.02 mi
05h 23m
Flight
231.35 mi
372.32 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
231.35 mi
Kilometers
372.32 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
288.02 mi
Kilometers
463.53 km
Drive Time
05h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Central
Mon, Apr 13, 6:36 PM EDT
Return by in Murfreesboro
Mon, Apr 13, 11:00 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Murfreesboro
2026-04-13T12:13
Arrive Central
Mon, Apr 13, 5:36 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:23 PM to 2:23 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
6:14 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
Kingston
TN

City in Roane County, Tennessee, United States

From Murfreesboro
143.8 mi
02h 41m
To Central
144.2 mi
02h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Monday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
79°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Murfreesboro and Central.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Spring Street

    26 m · 11 sec · South Spring Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    106 m · 10 sec · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Church Street

    35 m · 3 sec · North Church Street

  4. 4

    Turn slight left onto North Public Square

    120 m · 12 sec · North Public Square

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto West Main Street

    1237 ft · 36 sec · West Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Northwest Broad Street

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Northwest Broad Street

  7. 7

    Continue on New Nashville Highway

    1.5 km · 1 min · New Nashville Highway

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville

    1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway

    20.9 mi · 22 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon

    1.2 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    149.1 mi · 2 hr 42 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    36.7 mi · 41 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

    56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville

    2112 ft · 40 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway

    14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward TN 91

    959 ft · 27 sec

  17. 17

    Turn slight left onto East Main Street

    1133 ft · 39 sec · East Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Legion Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Legion Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto King Springs Road

    1.7 mi · 4 min · King Springs Road

  20. 20

    Turn slight right onto Elizabethton Highway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Elizabethton Highway

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Elizabethton Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Murfreesboro and Central.

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
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
187 mi · 65%
I 81 North
56.6 mi · 20%
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
20.9 mi · 7%
James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi · 5%
Northwest Broad Street
3.7 mi · 1%
King Springs Road
1.71 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left

149 mi · 02h 42m

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 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+56.7 mi
231.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kingston
02h 41m from Murfreesboro
Leave By
6:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Murfreesboro and Partly Sunny near Central.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Murfreesboro to Central?

The road trip is about 288 miles (463.5 km) and usually takes 05h 23m 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?

Kingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.8 miles from Murfreesboro and 144.2 miles from Central.

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

The direct path is about 231.3 miles (372.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.7 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.31 one way or $76.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Murfreesboro and Partly Sunny near Central.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Murfreesboro and Central. Straight-line distance: 231.35 mi (372.32 km).

Murfreesboro

#1 Murfreesboro

The second most populous city in Tennessee.

Population150,757
Coordinates35.8456200, -86.3902700
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Central

Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.

Population0
Coordinates36.3262200, -82.2895800
Altitude505
CountryUnited States
Start: Murfreesboro (-86.39027, 35.84562)
End: Central (-82.28958, 36.32622)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 464 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.16 gal
38.47 L · about $38.31
Round trip
$76.63
20.32 gal · 76.94 L
Estimated CO2
90.3 kg one way
Round trip: 180.6 kg / 398 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.31 $76.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.21 $86.42
Premium $4.65 $47.28 $94.57
Diesel $5.30 $53.89 $107.78

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 13, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Murfreesboro, TN and Central, TN. The current time in Murfreesboro is 12:13:46, although it is 13:13:46 in Central.

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.