Traveling from Bartlett to Gordonsville covers 247.5 miles across Tennessee, making this a manageable journey that typically takes 4 hours and 35 minutes. You will primarily navigate via I-40 East and the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway as you pass through the Nashville area. Given the duration, this trip is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $38 on fuel for the trek. Since both cities reside within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic transition as you traverse the state from west to central Tennessee.
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
123.8 miles from Bartlett, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
189.2 mi
3h 24m
I 40
47.5 mi
51m
Stage Road
5.8 mi
10m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
East Main Street
0.9 mi
2m
Gordonsville Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
Maple Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
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 Gordonsville, 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 right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
47 mi·51 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward TN 53: Carthage, Gordonsville
9
Turn right onto SR 53
0.4 mi·54 sec·Gordonsville Highway
10
Turn left onto SR 141; SR 264
0.9 mi·2 min·East Main Street
11
Turn right onto Maple Street
38 ft·1 sec·Maple Street
12
Arrive at destination
Maple Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 35-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Budgeting $38 for gas is a solid starting point, but keep an eye on local prices as you transition through the Nashville metro area, where traffic congestion can significantly impact your travel time. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the heaviest regional traffic near the interstate junctions. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent speed adjustments and maneuvering. Since the trip is short enough for a single day, enjoy the flexibility of choosing your own pace without the pressure of a multi-day itinerary.
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 123.8 miles from Bartlett, TN, or about 2h 18m 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.8 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gordonsville, 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 247.5 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 198.5 — 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.
9
195.3 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
5
195.6 mi into trip|~3h 35m in|I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
198 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|I 40 / Downtown Loop
Continue onto I 40 / Downtown Loop toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksv...
9
198.5 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.69 one way
$77.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.48
$84.97
premium
$4.89
$47.63
$95.26
diesel
$5.61
$54.64
$109.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$25.99
$11.88
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.66
$9.90
EV Truck/SUV
99
1
$34.65
$15.84
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Bartlett, TN
Morning
in Bartlett on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gordonsville, TN
Morning
in Gordonsville on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
26 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 35m 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?
This 247.5-mile journey is best described as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will utilize major thoroughfares like I-40 East, the route requires your full attention as you navigate through the busy Nashville corridor. The road’s personality shifts from the flatter landscapes near Bartlett to the more technical, winding sections closer to your destination in Gordonsville. You should prepare for a driving experience that demands active steering, as the lack of a high highway-share percentage means you will frequently transition between different types of road infrastructure.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 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 Effort6/10
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 247.5 miles you will encounter 10 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.6 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Gordonsville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
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 4h 35m. Total distance: 247.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
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 Gordonsville, 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 195.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.6 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Gordonsville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
