Short answer: downtown Franklin is about 22 road miles from downtown Nashville. From the Public Square in Franklin to the Tennessee State Capitol is 22.1 miles by road and about 17 miles in a straight line. With no traffic, that's roughly 30 minutes, almost all of it on I-65 north.
The real answer depends on two things: where in Franklin you start, and what time you leave. I live in Thompson's Station, just south of Franklin. Here's what the numbers look like and how to think about them before you buy.
Franklin to Nashville Drive Times and Distances
Road miles and drive times below run from the Public Square in downtown Franklin, measured with no traffic. Add time at rush hour.
| Destination | Road miles | Minutes, no traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Broadway, downtown Nashville | 21.3 | 28 |
| Tennessee State Capitol | 22.1 | 30 |
| Nissan Stadium | 22.0 | 29 |
| Vanderbilt University | 21.4 | 30 |
| The Mall at Green Hills | 14.6 | 26 |
| Nashville International Airport (BNA) | 24.8 | 32 |
| Brentwood City Hall | 9.8 | 17 |
| CoolSprings Galleria | 4.9 | 10 |
| Thompson's Station | 10.1 | 16 |
| Spring Hill City Hall | 13.9 | 22 |
Where You Live in Franklin Changes the Drive
Franklin covers a lot of ground, so "how far from Nashville" depends on which side of town you're on. A few examples, measured to the State Capitol with no traffic:
- Cool Springs, on the I-65 corridor: about 17 miles from the CoolSprings Galleria, roughly 26 minutes.
- Downtown Franklin: about 22 miles from the Public Square, roughly 30 minutes.
- Berry Farms, on the south side at the I-65 and Peytonsville Road interchange: about 24 miles, roughly 32 minutes.
- Westhaven, on the west side along Highway 96: about 25 miles from its Town Center, roughly 35 minutes.
The east side of Franklin near I-65 has the quickest run north.
Not sure which part of Franklin an address is in? My guide to Franklin, TN zip codes shows which neighborhoods sit in 37064, 37067 and 37069.
The Routes Between Franklin and Nashville
- I-65 is the main route and the fastest one without traffic. It runs north through Cool Springs and Brentwood straight into downtown Nashville.
- Franklin Road (US 31) runs parallel to I-65 through Brentwood and into Nashville. It's slower, but it's a real alternative when the interstate backs up.
- Hillsboro Road (US 431) heads north out of Franklin and is the direct route to Green Hills.
Rush Hour Is the Variable
The no-traffic times above are the floor, not the average. Morning and evening traffic on I-65 can add a lot to these times, and it changes day to day. Before you choose a neighborhood, check the drive in a live traffic app at the hour you'd actually leave, on a weekday.
For context, U.S. Census data shows the average Franklin worker's commute is 23.9 minutes (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024), compared with 27.9 minutes for Williamson County overall.
Can You Take a Bus From Franklin to Nashville?
Yes, on a commuter bus with a limited schedule. WeGo Public Transit's Route 95 (Spring Hill to Franklin) runs to WeGo Central in downtown Nashville, with a park-and-ride lot at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park in Franklin. Check WeGo's current schedule for trip times before you count on it. There is no commuter rail line to Franklin.
Is Franklin Part of Nashville?
No. Franklin is its own city with its own government, and it's the county seat of Williamson County. Nashville is in Davidson County. Franklin is part of the Nashville metro area, which the federal government names the Nashville-Davidson, Murfreesboro, Franklin metropolitan area. Franklin had 83,454 residents in the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau estimates 90,226 as of July 2025.
Thinking About Living in Franklin and Working in Nashville?
Before you fall for a house, run the commute. Tell me where you'll work and what time you'll leave, and I'll show you how the drive compares from each part of Franklin, plus Spring Hill, Thompson's Station and Brentwood. If you're moving from out of state, start with what to know before you move to Franklin.
DM, text, or call me at 615-392-1186.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Franklin, TN from Nashville?
About 22 road miles from downtown Franklin to downtown Nashville, and about 17 miles in a straight line.
How long is the drive from Franklin to downtown Nashville?
About 30 minutes with no traffic, mostly on I-65. At rush hour it takes longer, so check a live traffic app for the time you'd leave.
How far is Franklin, TN from the Nashville airport?
About 25 road miles from downtown Franklin to Nashville International Airport (BNA), roughly 32 minutes with no traffic.
Is Franklin, TN part of Nashville?
No. Franklin is a separate city and the county seat of Williamson County. It's part of the Nashville metro area.
What county is Franklin, TN in?
Williamson County. Nashville is in Davidson County.
Is there public transportation from Franklin to Nashville?
WeGo Public Transit's Route 95 commuter bus runs from a park-and-ride at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park in Franklin to downtown Nashville. Check WeGo's schedule for current trip times.
How far is Franklin from Brentwood?
About 10 road miles from downtown Franklin to Brentwood City Hall, roughly 17 minutes with no traffic.
How far is Franklin from Green Hills and Vanderbilt?
About 15 road miles to The Mall at Green Hills, roughly 26 minutes, and about 21 miles to Vanderbilt University, roughly 30 minutes, with no traffic.
Drive distances and no-traffic times are road routes measured with the open-source OSRM router in October 2026. Population and commute figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau's QuickFacts. Header photo: Main Street in downtown Franklin by FranklinCityWatcher, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from the original.
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