Origin
Brentwood, TN
Morning in Brentwood on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brentwood, TN to Dickson, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
213.6 mi
344 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 47m
★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brentwood, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Dickson, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Brentwood to Dickson, expect to cover 213.6 miles over the course of roughly 3 hours and 59 minutes. This journey is best suited for a single-day trip, as it keeps you entirely within the Southeast region of Tennessee. You will primarily rely on I-40, SR 46, and the Downtown Loop to reach your destination. With a fuel budget of approximately $32, the trip is quite manageable for a quick getaway. Since the route is straightforward and efficient, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
106.8 miles from Brentwood, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 201.9 mi | 3h 39m |
| SR 46 | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| North Cedar Bluff Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Chert Pit Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| East College Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Middlebrook Pike | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Andes Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brentwood, TN and Dickson, TN.
1
Start on Andes Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Andes Road
2
Continue on Chert Pit Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Chert Pit Road
3
Turn right onto SR 169
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Middlebrook Pike
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto North Cedar Bluff Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Cedar Bluff Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
198 ft
·
4 sec
Toward I 40, I 75
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South: Nashville, Chattanooga
7
Merge onto I 40; I 75
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 40; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
35 mi
·
38 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 172
Toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto SR 46
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 46
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 70 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East College Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 70 Business
Trip Plan
Because this drive involves nearly four hours of continuous road time, you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to depart early in the day to avoid potential congestion, especially when navigating the Downtown Loop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels before merging onto the long 201.9-mile stretch of I-40, as service availability can fluctuate. Since you have a modest $32 fuel budget, filling up before you hit the interstate is a smart way to maintain your pace. Given the flexibility of a one-day itinerary, feel free to adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule.
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 106.8 miles from Brentwood, TN, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.8 miles or 1h 59m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dickson, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, TN
This is one driving day of about 213.6 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Brentwood, 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 201.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.8 miles from Brentwood, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 12.9 and 208.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12.9 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
167.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m 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
169.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m 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
173.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m 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
8
208.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 172
Toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.39 one way
$66.79 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.67 | $73.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.11 | $82.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.16 | $94.32 |
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: 74.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.43 | $10.25 |
| Efficient EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.69 | $8.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.4 | 1 | $29.90 | $13.67 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Dickson, TN
Morning in Dickson on Sunday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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
3h 59m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 154.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a highway-focused experience, as 97% of this drive takes place on major roads. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a single 201.9-mile stretch along I-40, which defines the rhythm of the trip. While the initial leg feels like a standard interstate haul, the transition onto SR 46 and the local Downtown Loop adds a bit of variety as you approach Dickson. You should anticipate a steady, fast-paced pace for nearly four hours. It is a functional, direct connection that favors speed and reliability over winding, scenic backroads.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and SR 46. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.9 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 213.6 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 12.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brentwood, TN and Dickson, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
12.9 mi in
|
~18m
|
via I 40
Memphis
169.8 mi in
|
~3h 8m
|
via I 40
Louisville
170.9 mi in
|
~3h 9m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Starting in Brentwood, TN
Full guide →Brentwood is a city in Tennessee.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 213.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 201.9 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 Dickson, 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 12.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Dickson, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dickson, TN
More trips to Dickson, TN
Explore more options from Brentwood, TN or browse trips ending in Dickson, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.