Spanning 379.3 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Alcoa to Bartlett is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Because the route is almost entirely interstate-based, it is manageable as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a full day of driving. Budgeting approximately $58 for fuel will cover your transit from the Southeast corner of the state toward the western region. While you will spend the vast majority of your time on main thoroughfares, the transition from Alcoa to the Memphis area offers a clear sense of progression across the state. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this drive provides a reliable, efficient corridor that minimizes the need for complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
189.6 miles from Alcoa, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
354.3 mi
6h 24m
Pellissippi Parkway
11.3 mi
13m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
North Wright Road
2.1 mi
5m
Alcoa Highway
1.1 mi
1m
East Edison Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Springbrook Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 354.3 mi, about 6h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alcoa, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on Springbrook Road
23 ft·1 sec·Springbrook Road
2
Continue on Springbrook Road
79 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Springbrook Road
94 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
4
Turn left onto Springbrook Road
115 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
5
Continue on East Edison Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Edison Street
6
Turn left onto North Wright Road
2.1 mi·5 min·North Wright Road
7
Take the ramp
263 ft·8 sec
8
Merge onto US 129; TN 115
1.1 mi·1 min·Alcoa Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 140 North
10
Merge onto I 140
11 mi·13 min·Pellissippi Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South: Nashville, Chattanooga
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 40; I 75
7.2 mi·8 min·I 40; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
190 mi·3 hr 25 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 18Toward US 64: BartlettUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, SomervilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto US 64
5.6 mi·10 min·Stage Road
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
TN 15
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 7-hour drive, try to depart Alcoa early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion near major metropolitan hubs along the way. Planning for at least two strategic stops will help you manage the long, 354.3-mile stretch on I-40, keeping you alert and comfortable behind the wheel. Since fuel costs are estimated at $58, keeping an eye on your gauge during the long interstate segments is a smart way to ensure you never run low in more isolated stretches. Given the high highway percentage, prioritize checking your tire pressure and vehicle fluids before you leave. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; if you find the drive tiring, remember that breaking the distance into manageable segments is much easier when sticking to the I-40 corridor.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 189.6 miles from Alcoa, TN, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 354.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 83 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.6 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bartlett, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alcoa, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alcoa, TN
This is one driving day of about 379.3 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Alcoa, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 354.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.3 and 373.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
23.3 mi into trip|~31m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
178.1 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
180.3 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
183.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
9
373.5 mi into trip|~6h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64: Bartlett, Somerville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 64: Bartlett, Somerville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.30 one way
$118.60 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$65.11
$130.22
premium
$4.89
$72.99
$145.99
diesel
$5.61
$83.74
$167.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.8
1
$39.83
$18.21
Efficient EV
94.8
1
$33.19
$15.17
EV Truck/SUV
151.7
1
$53.10
$24.28
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Alcoa, TN
Night
in Alcoa on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bartlett, TN
Night
in Bartlett on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSW 15 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
18 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 156.9
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 96% of this trip is comprised of highway driving. You will spend a significant 354.3 miles of the journey on I-40, which serves as the primary artery for the duration of the trip. After departing Alcoa via the Pellissippi Parkway, you will settle into a consistent rhythm on the interstate that defines the personality of this drive. While the route lacks the technical challenges of winding backroads, the sheer length of the I-40 stretch requires focus and steady pacing. By the time you transition onto Stage Road near your destination in Bartlett, you will have covered the bulk of the mileage on wide, multi-lane infrastructure.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 354.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Pellissippi Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 379.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alcoa, TN and Bartlett, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
23.3 mi in|~31m|via I 40
Memphis
180.3 mi in|~3h 21m|via I 40
Louisville
181.3 mi in|~3h 23m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 379.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 354.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bartlett, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bartlett, TN before the return drive.
