Crossing Tennessee from Baxter to Bartlett covers 268.1 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays within the Southeast region, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $41 on fuel for the trek, which relies heavily on major thoroughfares. Given the duration, it is a straightforward drive that works well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently. Planning for one strategic stop will help break up the time and keep you refreshed throughout the journey.
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
134.1 miles from Baxter, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
254.8 mi
4h 36m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
Old Baxter Road
4.2 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 254.8 mi, about 4h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baxter, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on SR 141
4.2 mi·7 min·Old Baxter Road
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
3
Merge onto I 40; SR 56
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 40; SR 56
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
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.
5
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.
6
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 18Toward US 64: BartlettUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, SomervilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto US 64
5.6 mi·10 min·Stage Road
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
TN 15
Trip Plan
To make the most of this five-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns. Since the vast majority of your route is on I-40, staying alert during the long, repetitive highway stretches is key to a safe arrival. Plan your single recommended stop around the midway point to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping your $41 budget in mind as you monitor your gas levels. The flexibility of a one-day trip means you have plenty of time to reach Bartlett by the afternoon if you manage your pace well. Keep an eye on local road signs when transitioning off I-40 onto Stage Road to ensure a smooth arrival in the Bartlett area.
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 134.1 miles from Baxter, TN, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.8 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.1 miles or 2h 29m 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 2m
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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, TN
This is one driving day of about 268.1 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Baxter, 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 I 40 for about 254.8 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 67 and 262.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
67 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
69.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
7
262.2 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Bartlett
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 18
Toward US 64: Bartlett
9
262.4 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
$41.91 one way
$83.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.02
$92.04
premium
$4.89
$51.59
$103.19
diesel
$5.61
$59.19
$118.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.15
$12.87
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.46
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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 15, 2026
Origin
Baxter, TN
Late night
in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bartlett, TN
Late night
in Bartlett on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
17 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 59m 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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 55.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway-focused, with 95% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle in for a long, uninterrupted stretch of 254.8 miles on I-40, making for a consistent and predictable experience. While the route begins with local navigation via Old Baxter Road, you will quickly transition to the interstate for the bulk of the transit. Approaching Bartlett, the drive concludes with a shift toward Stage Road to reach your final destination. Prepare for a steady pace where the interstate rhythm dominates the majority of your travel time.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Stage Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 268.1 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 67 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Baxter, TN and Bartlett, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Memphis
69.1 mi in|~1h 18m|via I 40
Louisville
70.2 mi in|~1h 19m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 268.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.8 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 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 67 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Bartlett, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
