Spanning 355.3 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Bartlett to Cleveland typically takes about 5 hours and 21 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is manageable for a single day, you can comfortably complete the journey in one sitting without needing an overnight stay. You will traverse the state from the Southeast region, utilizing key corridors like the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway and I-840 East to bypass Nashville. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, it is a relatively straightforward trip for your budget. While the distance is significant, the route is well-suited for a solo traveler or a group looking to cross the state efficiently. It serves as a practical connection between these two Tennessee locales, offering a direct path for your transit.
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
176 miles from Bartlett, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
157.9 mi
2h 50m
I 24
110 mi
2h 3m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
Stage Road
5.8 mi
10m
South Lee Highway
2.5 mi
4m
US 74
1.2 mi
1m
Inman Street West
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 157.9 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bartlett, TN and Cleveland, 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
158 mi·2 hr 50 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
5
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 24
110 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
11
Keep slight left at fork
281 ft·9 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
12
Turn right onto US 74
1.2 mi·1 min·US 74
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
14
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.5 mi·4 min·South Lee Highway
15
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi·34 sec·Keith Street Southwest
16
Turn right onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Inman Street West
Use the right lane.
17
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 355.3-mile trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic congestion near Nashville. Since the route includes only one major stop, plan your break strategically to coincide with the midpoint of your drive to keep your energy levels steady. Keep that $54 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as refueling at the right time will save you the hassle of searching for stations in more remote sections. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, ensure your vehicle’s tire pressure is optimal before heading out to handle the frequent adjustments in direction. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't hesitate to take a few extra minutes at your designated stop to stretch your legs before tackling the final leg into Cleveland.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176 miles from Bartlett, TN, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.9 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 77 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176 miles or 3h 15m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, 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 352 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 157.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 347.2 — 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.
5
164 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7
217 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
327.7 mi into trip|~6h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
7
347.2 mi into trip|~6h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20
Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.03 one way
$110.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$60.42
$120.84
premium
$4.89
$67.74
$135.48
diesel
$5.61
$77.72
$155.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.6
1
$36.96
$16.90
Efficient EV
88
1
$30.80
$14.08
EV Truck/SUV
140.8
1
$49.28
$22.53
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Bartlett, TN
Night
in Bartlett on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSW 15 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Night
in Cleveland on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
1 hour later
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
6h 36m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 218.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience as you navigate away from the western part of the state. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires your full attention due to the winding nature of the roads encountered along the way. While you will rely on major arteries like I-840 East to navigate around Nashville, the overall character of the trip leans toward technical driving rather than high-speed cruising. The transition between different road types keeps the journey engaging, demanding that you stay alert behind the wheel. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of highway here, so be prepared to adjust your speed and focus as the road conditions shift throughout the 5-hour trek.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.9 mi on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 352 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 6.1 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 164 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,911 ft278 ft
Total Climb
2,260 ft
Total Descent
1,678 ft
Highest Point
1,911 ft
~276.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,633 ft
Notable High Points
1,911 ft at ~276.6 miles+837 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bartlett, TN to Cleveland, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
164 mi in|~3h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 36m. Total distance: 352 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.9 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. 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 Cleveland, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 164 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cleveland, TN before the return drive.
