Bartlett, TN to Murfreesboro, TN is 223.7 miles and takes about 4h 10m via Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, it's a manageable one-day excursion, perfect for a quick trip between these two Tennessee locations.
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
111.9 miles from Bartlett, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
157.9 mi
2h 50m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
Stage Road
5.8 mi
10m
I 24
2.9 mi
3m
Old Fort Parkway
2 mi
3m
Northwest Broad Street
0.2 mi
<1m
West Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
South Public Square
<0.1 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 Murfreesboro, 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
2.9 mi·3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 78BToward SR 96 East: MurfreesboroUse the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto SR 96
2.0 mi·3 min·Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·29 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft·6 sec
12
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
0.2 mi·26 sec·Northwest Broad Street
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Main Street
14
Turn right onto South Maple Street
138 ft·4 sec·South Maple Street
15
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
467 ft·12 sec·South Public Square
16
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
47 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
17
Continue on East Main Street
347 ft·13 sec·East Main Street
18
Turn right onto South Spring Street
84 ft·3 sec·South Spring Street
19
Arrive at destination
South Spring Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 10m estimated drive time, departing Bartlett in the morning is your best bet to ensure you reach Murfreesboro with plenty of daylight. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically to break up the 223.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the longer surface road sections; the $34 fuel estimate should cover you, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility, but don't underestimate how local traffic can affect travel times on the surface roads.
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 111.9 miles from Bartlett, TN, or about 2h 5m 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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 5m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, 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 223.7 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 223.1 — 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.
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
7
220.7 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
6
223.1 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.04 one way
$66.07 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.47
$72.94
premium
$4.72
$41.53
$83.07
diesel
$4.80
$42.24
$84.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
Efficient EV
55.9
0
$19.57
$8.95
EV Truck/SUV
89.5
1
$31.32
$14.32
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Bartlett, TN
Late night
in Bartlett on Sunday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WNW 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:09PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:02PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Murfreesboro, TN
Late night
in Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:09PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:02PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
90°F
Waverly, TN
112 mi in
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
2 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 10m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 223.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly surface roads, with only 26% of the drive on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local routes, with a significant 157.9-mile stretch on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. Expect a continuous progression of exits and local traffic as you transition from highway driving to surface roads. This means a steady pace with frequent opportunities to observe the surrounding communities.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 223.7 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
Mostly flat terrain
891 ft278 ft
Total Climb
699 ft
Total Descent
364 ft
Highest Point
891 ft
~175.8 mi in
Elevation Range
613 ft
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 Murfreesboro, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
164 mi in|~3h 1m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Murfreesboro is a city in the Nashville metropolitan area of Middle Tennessee. It is the largest suburb of Nashville and the sixth largest city in Tennessee. Since the 1990s, Murfreesboro has been Tennessee's fastest growing major city and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Murfreesboro is home to Middle Tennessee State University, the second largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, with almost 23,000 students in 2014.
Top landmarks
•Fortress Rosecrans — fort in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
•Marymont — historic mansion in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 223.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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 Murfreesboro, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Murfreesboro, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
