How far is Smyrna, TN from Athens, TN?
The driving distance from Smyrna, TN to Athens, TN is about 297.5 miles (478.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 212.8 miles (342.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 37m 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 48m.
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 Union County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Smyrna and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna and Athens.
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1
Start on Buck Ditch Road
18 m · 5 sec · Buck Ditch Road
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2
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2 mi · 8 min · Smyrna Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi · 6 min · Buena Vista Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
4.1 mi · 7 min
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broad Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Broad Street
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6
Continue on Broadway of America
5.4 mi · 8 min · Broadway of America
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7
Turn right
1.6 mi · 2 min
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8
Turn right
13.8 mi · 16 min
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9
Take the exit slight left
1318 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left
50.1 mi · 54 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi · 56 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
1.3 km · 2 min
-
14
Merge slight left
110 mi · 2 hr 4 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
1.4 km · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight left
46.6 mi · 52 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur
1574 ft · 29 sec
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18
Turn right onto Decatur Pike
3.2 mi · 5 min · Decatur Pike
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19
Continue on Green Street
2926 ft · 53 sec · Green Street
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20
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
766 ft · 15 sec · Washington Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Smyrna 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 24 East
Merge slight left
110 mi · 02h 04m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Smyrna and Mostly Clear near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Smyrna to Athens?
The road trip is about 297.5 miles (478.8 km) and usually takes 05h 48m 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?
Plainview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.7 miles from Smyrna and 148.8 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 212.8 miles (342.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 84.7 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 5:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.60 one way or $79.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Smyrna and Athens, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Smyrna and Mostly Clear near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Plainview
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 Plainview.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Smyrna and Athens. Straight-line distance: 212.75 mi (342.38 km).
#1 Smyrna
Town in Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 53,185 |
| Coordinates | 35.9564500, -88.3317100 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| 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: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.60 | $79.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.66 | $89.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.87 | $97.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.69 | $111.38 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.