How far is Nashville, TN from Athens, TN?
The driving distance from Nashville, TN to Athens, TN is about 167 miles (268.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.5 miles (213.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 31m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Putnam County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nashville and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville and Athens.
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1
Start on the route
2013 ft · 3 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
1718 ft · 44 sec · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
1.1 km · 2 min · James Robertson Parkway
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4
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
138 m · 10 sec · Interstate Drive
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 24 East
918 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
1.3 km · 1 min · Downtown Loop
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
80.6 mi · 1 hr 27 min
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8
Continue straight
26 mi · 28 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
1387 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn straight onto North Main Street
7.6 mi · 12 min · North Main Street
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11
Continue straight
20.1 mi · 30 min
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12
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
635 ft · 13 sec · Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
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13
Continue on Piccadilly Avenue
2655 ft · 55 sec · Piccadilly Avenue
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14
Continue on New Lake Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · New Lake Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Watts Bar Highway
10 mi · 14 min · Watts Bar Highway
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
39 m · 2 sec
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17
Exit the roundabout
12 m · 1 sec
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18
Turn slight right
2 mi · 3 min
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19
Turn right onto St Hwy 305
6.9 mi · 12 min · St Hwy 305
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20
Continue on Highway 305
4 mi · 6 min · Highway 305
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21
Continue on Ingleside Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · Ingleside Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
766 ft · 15 sec · Washington Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nashville and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
80.6 mi · 01h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Nashville and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nashville to Athens?
The road trip is about 167 miles (268.7 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?
Algood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.4 miles from Nashville and 83.6 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.5 miles (213.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 9:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.21 one way or $44.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Nashville and Athens, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Nashville and Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Algood
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 Algood.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nashville and Athens. Straight-line distance: 132.57 mi (213.35 km).
#1 Nashville
The twenty-second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Nashville metropolitan area.
| Population | 684,410 |
| Coordinates | 36.1658900, -86.7844400 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
Town in Tennessee, United States
| Population | 14,120 |
| Coordinates | 35.4428500, -84.5929900 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-84.59299, 35.44285)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.21 | $44.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.05 | $50.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.41 | $54.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.24 | $62.48 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.