How far is Nashville, TN from Central, TN?
The driving distance from Nashville, TN to Central, TN is about 177.1 miles (285 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly 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.
-
1
Start on the route
2013 ft · 2 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
2546 ft · 1 min · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto George L Davis Boulevard
26 m · 1 sec · George L Davis Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
1579 ft · 39 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2582 ft · 40 sec · Downtown Loop
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Memphis
141.8 mi · 2 hr 33 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
1247 ft · 32 sec
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8
Turn right onto East Main Street
9.5 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward West Main Street
122 m · 11 sec · West Main Street
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10
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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11
Turn right onto Haralson Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Haralson Street
-
12
Turn right
15.7 mi · 23 min
-
13
Turn right onto Eastland Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Eastland Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Highland Avenue
-
15
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
980 ft · 25 sec · South Jefferson Street
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16
Turn left onto South Washington Street
81 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
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17
Turn right onto Monroe Street
140 m · 13 sec · Monroe Street
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18
Turn left onto Lake Drive
575 ft · 11 sec · Lake Drive
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19
Turn straight onto Cleveland Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Street
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20
Continue on Edith-Nankipoo Road
2.7 mi · 7 min · Edith-Nankipoo Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Edith-Nankipoo Road
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 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Memphis
142 mi · 02h 33m
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 Mostly 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 177.1 miles (285 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
Pleasant Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.4 miles from Nashville and 88.7 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.01 one way or $46.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Nashville and Mostly Sunny near Central.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Hill
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 Pleasant Hill.
Fulton
Newbern–Dyersburg
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nashville and Central. Straight-line distance: 155.92 mi (250.93 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 | 35.8036900, -89.5373000 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-89.5373, 35.80369)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.68 | $23.01 | $46.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $25.94 | $51.88 |
| Premium | $4.56 | $28.52 | $57.04 |
| Diesel | $5.90 | $36.86 | $73.71 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026