It then begins paralleling I-840 just before entering Triune, where it has an intersection with US 31A/SR 11, just north of its interchange with I-840 (Exit 42).

SR 96 then leaves the interstate and passes through some rural countryside before entering Murfreesboro just before a partial cloverleaf interchange with I-24 (Exit 78).

They go northeast, leaving downtown, for about a mile before SR 96 turns east onto E Clark Blvd.

The routes then pass through Liberty and Dowelltown and ascend the Highland Rim before SR 96 separates from US 70/SR 26, just northwest of Smithville.

It becomes signed as a north–south route along a very curvy secondary highway known as Dale Ridge Road.

The two routes become concurrent and cross overtop Center Hill Dam together before separating at the entrance to Edgar Evins State Park, with SR 96 turning north toward Putnam County.

It crosses the county line and immediately enters Buffalo Valley, where it has another interchange with I-40 (Exit 268).

SR 96 quickly comes to an intersection with US 70N/SR 24 east of Chestnut Mound, at which point it becomes concurrent.