Spanning 288.8 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Bartlett to Celina typically takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $44 on fuel to reach your destination. You will primarily navigate via the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, SR 52, and West Broadway. While the entire trip remains within the Southeast region, the shift from the Memphis area toward the Cumberland Plateau offers a distinct change in local landscape. It is a straightforward trip that balances highway transit with slower-paced local roads, making it a manageable endeavor for a solo driver or a small group.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
144.4 miles from Bartlett, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
189.2 mi
3h 24m
SR 52
47.6 mi
1h 8m
West Broadway
17 mi
21m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
15 mi
17m
I 65
9.1 mi
11m
Stage Road
5.8 mi
10m
Long Hollow Pike
2 mi
2m
Downtown Loop
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 189.2 mi, about 3h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bartlett, TN and Celina, TN.
1
Start on TN 15
5.8 mi·10 min·Stage Road
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Nashville
3
Merge onto I 40
189 mi·3 hr 24 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Exit 208BToward I 65 North: LouisvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 65
1.7 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
8.9 mi·10 min·I 65
Exit 86AToward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 65
0.2 mi·14 sec·I 65
8
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386
15 mi·17 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Exit 95Toward SR 386: Hendersonville, GallatinUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on SR 665
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Hollow Pike
10
Continue on TN 25
0.4 mi·33 sec·Red River Road
11
Turn left onto US 31E
0.2 mi·25 sec·Nashville Pike
12
Continue on US 31E
17 mi·21 min·West Broadway
13
Turn right onto SR 52
48 mi·1 hr 8 min·SR 52
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto SR 52
221 ft·4 sec·Brown Street
15
Arrive at destination
SR 52
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly 5-hour and 40-minute commitment, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you feel necessary. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the local roads may offer fewer service options than the initial highway stretch. Given the technical nature of the final segments, try to complete the drive during daylight hours to better navigate the turns on SR 52. Utilizing your single planned stop midway through the 189.2-mile stretch on the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway is a smart way to maintain focus before the road becomes more challenging.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.4 miles from Bartlett, TN, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.2 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.4 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Celina, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bartlett, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bartlett, TN
This is one driving day of about 288.8 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Bartlett, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway for about 189.2 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 241.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~11m in|I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
195.3 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208B
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
9
197.5 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65 toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 86A
Toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Loui...
9
206.6 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 95
Toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
6
241.1 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|SR 52
Turn right onto SR 52
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.02 one way
$96.03 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$52.30
$104.60
premium
$5.18
$58.93
$117.86
diesel
$5.35
$60.83
$121.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.6
1
$30.32
$13.86
Efficient EV
72.2
0
$25.27
$11.55
EV Truck/SUV
115.5
1
$40.43
$18.48
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 May 29, 2026
Origin
Bartlett, TN
Afternoon
in Bartlett on Wednesday
Local time
4:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 0 to 5 mph70% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Celina, TN
Afternoon
in Celina on Wednesday
Local time
4:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 40m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a dynamic mix of road conditions as you transition from major thoroughfares to more technical local stretches. Only 20% of your travel occurs on highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads that require your full attention. The longest uninterrupted portion of your journey covers 189.2 miles along the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, providing a consistent pace before the route shifts into more winding segments. As you progress, the drive loses the monotony of high-speed interstate travel in favor of a more hands-on, turn-heavy experience. Be prepared to adjust your driving style as the road narrows and the curves become more frequent approaching Celina.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 189.2 mi on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 288.8 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.5 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,006 ft278 ft
Total Climb
988 ft
Total Descent
710 ft
Highest Point
1,006 ft
~268.2 mi in
Elevation Range
728 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bartlett, TN and Celina, TN, road signs point toward Louisville and Gallatin.
Bartlett is a city in metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee. It has several buildings of historic interest, and a walkable Historic District". In 2018, the population of Bartlett was almost 60,000. The Trail of Tears runs along Stage Road through the city. It commemorates the forced relocations between 1830 and 1850 of approximately 60,000 Native Americans from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern U.S. to areas west of the Mississippi River that had been designated as Indian Territory.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 288.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (20%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 189.2 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.5 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Celina, TN before the return drive.
