How far is Nashville, TN from Central, TN?
The driving distance from Nashville, TN to Central, TN is about 287.9 miles (463.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.7 miles (403.4 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.
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 05h 23m.
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 Roane County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nashville and Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville and Central.
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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
93.2 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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9
Keep slight left
36.7 mi · 41 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
2112 ft · 40 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward TN 91
959 ft · 27 sec
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14
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
1133 ft · 39 sec · East Main Street
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15
Turn straight onto Legion Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Legion Street
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16
Turn left onto King Springs Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · King Springs Road
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17
Turn slight right onto Elizabethton Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Elizabethton Highway
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elizabethton Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nashville and Central.
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
Continue straight
93.2 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Nashville 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 Nashville to Central?
The road trip is about 287.9 miles (463.4 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 Nashville and 144.2 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 Nashville and Central, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Nashville and Partly Sunny near Central.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nashville and Central. Straight-line distance: 250.69 mi (403.44 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 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 36.3262200, -82.2895800 |
| Altitude | 505 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-82.28958, 36.32622)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 463 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round 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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.