How far is Nashville, TN from Decatur, TN?
The driving distance from Nashville, TN to Decatur, TN is about 156.7 miles (252.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 32m 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 16m.
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 Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nashville and Decatur.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville and Decatur.
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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
6.7 mi · 9 min · Watts Bar Highway
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16
Turn right onto River Road
8.7 mi · 15 min · River Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Highway 58
1196 ft · 20 sec · Highway 58
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Highway 58
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nashville and Decatur.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Nashville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Decatur.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nashville to Decatur?
The road trip is about 156.7 miles (252.2 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?
Cookeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.3 miles from Nashville and 78.4 miles from Decatur.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.3 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 10:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.85 one way or $41.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Nashville and Decatur, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Nashville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Decatur.
Stop Ideas Near Cookeville
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 Cookeville.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nashville and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 120.42 mi (193.79 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 Decatur
Human settlement in Meigs County, Tennessee, United States of America
| Population | 1,663 |
| Coordinates | 35.5147900, -84.7902200 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| Country | United States |
End: Decatur (-84.79022, 35.51479)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.85 | $41.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.52 | $47.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.74 | $51.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.33 | $58.66 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.