Murfreesboro to Franklin
51 miles | 44 minutes | via I-24 West & I-65 South
Franklin, Tennessee is one of Middle Tennessee’s most celebrated small-city destinations. Its award-winning Main Street, lined with preserved 19th-century storefronts, anchors a downtown that has earned national recognition for historic character, independent retail, and dining. Add Civil War battlefields, the artistic village of Leiper’s Fork, and scenic access to the Natchez Trace Parkway, and Franklin offers more than enough to fill a full day from Murfreesboro.
Murfreesboro to Franklin – Quick Facts
Distance
51 miles
Murfreesboro to downtown Franklin
Drive Time
~44 minutes
Under normal traffic conditions
Best Route
I-24 W to I-65 S
All-highway, most direct option
Estimated Gas
$6–10 one way
Varies by vehicle & fuel prices
Route from Murfreesboro to Franklin
Two main routes connect Murfreesboro and Franklin. The interstate highway option is the fastest, while the surface-road alternative through Nolensville offers a slower and more scenic experience through small-town Middle Tennessee.
Primary Route: I-24 West to I-65 South
FastestThe primary route takes I-24 West from Murfreesboro toward Nashville and then merges onto I-65 South toward Franklin. This all-highway route covers approximately 51 miles and takes about 44 minutes under normal traffic conditions. It is the most direct and reliable option for reaching downtown Franklin.
- • Distance: ~51 miles
- • Drive time: ~44 minutes without traffic
- • Highway driving the entire route
Scenic: Nolensville Road (US-31A/41A)
ScenicAn alternative route follows Nolensville Road through the small town of Nolensville before continuing south into Franklin. This two-lane road passes antique shops, local eateries, and rolling Middle Tennessee countryside. It adds approximately 15 to 20 minutes to the trip but provides a noticeably different character than the interstate.
- • Passes through Nolensville with antique shops
- • Adds ~15–20 minutes to travel time
- • Good for a leisurely, unhurried drive
Traffic Tip
The I-24 and I-65 interchange near Nashville can experience significant congestion during weekday rush hours, particularly from 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6:30 PM. Travelers departing Murfreesboro during these peak commute windows may encounter added drive time through the Nashville metro area. Weekend mornings and mid-day weekday departures typically offer the smoothest travel.
Stops Along the Way
The corridor between Murfreesboro and Franklin passes through several communities worth knowing about, whether for a quick stop or a detour.
Nolensville
A charming small town along the scenic Nolensville Road route. Nolensville offers antique shops, local dining options, and a glimpse of small-town Middle Tennessee life. It serves as a natural midpoint stop for travelers taking the surface-road alternative to Franklin.
Brentwood
An affluent Nashville suburb located along I-65 South between Nashville and Franklin. Brentwood offers a broad range of shopping centers, restaurants, and services for travelers passing through on the interstate route.
Cool Springs
A large retail and dining corridor located just north of downtown Franklin along I-65. Cool Springs features national retail chains, a variety of restaurant options, and serves as a convenient stop before or after exploring Franklin’s historic district.
Things to Do in Franklin, TN
Franklin offers a rich mix of history, culture, outdoor space, and dining within a compact and walkable downtown. The following are the primary attractions visitors from Murfreesboro explore on a day trip.
Historic Downtown Main Street
Franklin’s Main Street has been recognized as one of America’s best small-town Main Streets. The corridor features independent boutique shops, art galleries, and a wide variety of restaurants, all housed in preserved 19th-century commercial buildings. The streetscape is highly walkable and serves as the social and commercial center of Franklin. Visitors can spend hours browsing the storefronts, which range from locally owned clothing boutiques and home goods stores to specialty food shops and bookstores.
Carnton
Carnton is a historic antebellum plantation home built in 1826 that played a central role in the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864, when it served as the largest field hospital in the area. The grounds include the McGavock Confederate Cemetery, one of the largest private Confederate burial grounds in the United States, with nearly 1,500 soldiers interred. Guided tours of the house and cemetery are available and provide detailed accounts of the battle and its aftermath.
Carter House
The Carter House served as the command post for Union General Jacob Cox during the Battle of Franklin. The 1830 Federal-style house and its outbuildings still bear bullet holes and battle damage, providing a tangible connection to the fighting that occurred on the property. Guided tours are offered regularly and explore both the military history and the story of the Carter family who sheltered in the basement during the battle.
Leiper’s Fork
Leiper’s Fork is an unincorporated artistic village community located approximately 15 minutes southwest of downtown Franklin along Highway 46. The community has developed a reputation for its galleries, antique and vintage shops, and several well-regarded local eateries. The rural setting and relaxed pace make it a popular complement to a Franklin day trip, and many visitors pair a downtown Franklin visit with an afternoon in Leiper’s Fork.
The Factory at Franklin
The Factory at Franklin is an adaptive reuse project that converted a former Dortch Stove Works manufacturing facility into a multi-use destination featuring independent shops, restaurants, a live music venue, fitness studios, and event spaces. The complex preserves the industrial character of the original buildings while providing a modern destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment just minutes from Main Street.
Harlinsdale Farm (Park at Harlinsdale)
Harlinsdale Farm is a historic 169-acre property that was once one of Tennessee’s most prominent Tennessee Walking Horse farms. The City of Franklin purchased and converted the property into a public park that hosts the annual Mane Event horse show and serves as the site of the popular Franklin Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. The open grounds and historic horse barn make it a pleasant stop for those seeking outdoor space within the city.
Franklin Theatre
The Franklin Theatre is a beautifully restored 1937 movie palace located on Main Street. Originally opened as a single-screen cinema, the theater underwent an extensive restoration that preserved its original Art Deco interior details while modernizing the venue for contemporary use. It now hosts live music performances, film screenings, and special events throughout the year, and serves as one of Main Street’s most recognizable landmarks.
Where to Eat in Franklin
Franklin’s dining scene is concentrated along and near Main Street and covers a wide range of cuisines, from traditional Southern cooking to international fare. The density of restaurants within the walkable downtown core makes it easy for visitors to find a meal without moving the car. Weekend lunch service along Main Street can draw crowds, particularly on Saturdays when the Franklin Farmers Market at Harlinsdale Farm is active.
Leiper’s Fork, about 15 minutes from downtown, has a smaller but notable selection of village eateries that fit the community’s relaxed character. Visitors combining a Franklin downtown visit with a stop in Leiper’s Fork will find dining options in both locations, making it easy to plan meals around the day’s itinerary.
Practical Tips
- 1
Main Street is walkable – park once. Franklin’s Main Street is highly walkable. Parking in one of the public lots or on a side street allows visitors to access most of downtown on foot without needing to move the car.
- 2
Saturdays are best for the farmers market. The Franklin Farmers Market at Harlinsdale Farm operates on Saturday mornings, gallery openings often occur on Saturdays, and the full range of Main Street shops and restaurants is typically active.
- 3
Civil War sites have separate admissions. Carnton and the Carter House both charge separate admission fees and offer guided tours. Each tour takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Visitors planning to see both sites should allow at least two to three hours for the Civil War portion of the day.
- 4
Combine with Leiper’s Fork for a full day. Pairing downtown Franklin with a drive out to Leiper’s Fork makes for a well-rounded full-day trip from Murfreesboro. The village is approximately 15 minutes southwest of Franklin via Highway 46.
Frequently Asked Questions: Murfreesboro to Franklin
How far is Murfreesboro from Franklin?
Murfreesboro is approximately 51 miles from Franklin, Tennessee. The drive takes about 44 minutes via I-24 West to I-65 South under normal traffic conditions.
What is there to do in Franklin, TN?
Franklin offers a wide range of attractions for day-trippers. Historic Main Street is lined with boutique shops, galleries, and restaurants housed in preserved 19th-century buildings. Civil War history is well represented at Carnton, the Carter House, and Fort Granger. Leiper's Fork, a small artistic village about 15 minutes southwest of downtown, adds a relaxed and creative dimension to any visit. The Factory at Franklin provides additional dining, shopping, and entertainment in a converted industrial space.
What is the best route from Murfreesboro to Franklin?
The fastest route is I-24 West to I-65 South, covering about 51 miles in approximately 44 minutes. For a more scenic drive, Nolensville Road (US-31A/41A) passes through the small town of Nolensville with antique shops and local eateries, adding roughly 15 to 20 minutes to the trip.
Is Franklin worth a day trip from Murfreesboro?
Franklin is widely regarded as one of the most rewarding day trips from Murfreesboro. Downtown Franklin has been recognized as one of America's best small-town Main Streets, offering a walkable historic district with independent boutiques, galleries, and dining. The Civil War battlefield sites and the village of Leiper's Fork add depth and variety, making Franklin suitable for history enthusiasts, shoppers, and those looking for a scenic small-city outing.
What Civil War sites are in Franklin?
The Battle of Franklin, fought on November 30, 1864, left behind several preserved historic sites. Carnton is a historic antebellum plantation house that served as a field hospital during the battle; its grounds include the McGavock Confederate Cemetery. The Carter House served as the Union command position and offers guided tours of the home and grounds, which still bear bullet holes from the fighting. Fort Granger, a Union earthwork fortification overlooking the Harpeth River, provides additional historical context and a scenic overlook of the Franklin area.
What is Leiper's Fork?
Leiper's Fork is a small unincorporated community and artistic village located approximately 15 minutes southwest of downtown Franklin along Highway 46. The community is known for its laid-back atmosphere, local galleries, antique and vintage shops, and a handful of notable eateries. Leiper's Fork retains a rural character that contrasts with Franklin's more developed downtown and attracts visitors looking for a quieter, creatively oriented destination.
More Day Trips from Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro sits at the center of a region rich with day trip destinations. Explore more options from the Murfreesboro area.