How far is Watertown, TN from Franklin, TN?

The driving distance from Watertown, TN to Franklin, TN is about 212.6 miles (342.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173.1 miles (278.5 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 EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
212.55 mi
03h 32m
Flight
173.06 mi
278.51 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Watertown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
173.06 mi
Kilometers
278.51 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
212.55 mi
Kilometers
342.06 km
Drive Time
03h 32m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Sun, Apr 19, 7:00 AM CDT
Return by in Watertown
Sun, Apr 19, 11:32 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Watertown
2026-04-19T04:28
Arrive Franklin
Sun, Apr 19, 8:00 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:32 AM to 10:32 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:56 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Watertown
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Monterey
TN

Town in Tennessee, United States

From Watertown
104.9 mi
01h 46m
To Franklin
107.6 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph N
Destination
67°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Watertown and Franklin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Watertown and Franklin.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    10 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Millers Cove Road

    1.9 mi · 5 min · East Millers Cove Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Walland Highway

    1347 ft · 39 sec · Old Walland Highway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East Lamar Alexander Parkway

    9 mi · 14 min · East Lamar Alexander Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on East Lamar Alexander Parkway

    27 mi · 36 min · East Lamar Alexander Parkway

  6. 6

    Take the exit left toward I 40 West: Nashville

    1324 ft · 32 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    150.3 mi · 2 hr 42 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga

    1.3 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 440 West: Memphis

    2313 ft · 52 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville

    638 ft · 16 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville

    825 ft · 16 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on 65: Huntsville

    2711 ft · 58 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    14.1 mi · 15 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro

    1498 ft · 40 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Murfreesboro Road

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Murfreesboro Road

  17. 17

    Continue on 3rd Avenue South

    1761 ft · 35 sec · 3rd Avenue South

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout toward Public Square

    121 m · 7 sec · Public Square

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Public Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Watertown and Franklin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
151 mi · 71%
East Lamar Alexander Parkway
36 mi · 17%
65
14.7 mi · 7%
Murfreesboro Road
2.34 mi · 1%
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.15 mi · 1%
East Millers Cove Road
1.91 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Merge slight left

150 mi · 02h 42m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.5 mi
173.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monterey
01h 46m from Watertown
Leave By
9:56 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Watertown and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Watertown to Franklin?

The road trip is about 212.6 miles (342.1 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?

Monterey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.9 miles from Watertown and 107.6 miles from Franklin.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.5 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.28 one way or $56.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Watertown and Franklin, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Watertown and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Franklin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 173.06 mi (278.51 km).

Watertown

#1 Watertown

City in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States

Population1,536
Coordinates35.7381400, -83.7879500
Altitude303
CountryUnited States
Franklin

#2 Franklin

The second most populous city in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Population85,316
Coordinates35.9250600, -86.8688900
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: (-83.787878, 35.738142)
End: Public Square (-86.868874, 35.925004)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 342 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.5 gal
28.39 L · about $28.28
Round trip
$56.57
15 gal · 56.78 L
Estimated CO2
66.7 kg one way
Round trip: 133.3 kg / 294 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.28 $56.57
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.90 $63.80
Premium $4.65 $34.91 $69.81
Diesel $5.30 $39.78 $79.56

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 19, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Watertown, TN and Franklin, TN. The current time in Watertown is 04:28:41, although it is 03:28:41 in Franklin.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.