Origin
Brentwood, TN
Morning in Brentwood on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brentwood, TN to East Brainerd, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
96.4 mi
155 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brentwood, TN
Wikimedia Commons
East Brainerd, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Brentwood to East Brainerd is a straightforward 96.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 53 minutes. Because this route is entirely within Tennessee, you will stay comfortably within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Given the short duration, this drive is perfectly suited as a simple day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your commute or weekend plans. This highway-focused drive is ideal if you prioritize efficiency and getting to your destination without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.2 miles from Brentwood, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 79 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 40 | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Gunbarrel Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Cedar Bluff Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Brainerd Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Chert Pit Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Graysville Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Middlebrook Pike | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 79 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brentwood, TN and East Brainerd, 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 left at fork onto I 75
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Shallowford Road
10
Turn sharp left onto Shallowford Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Shallowford Road
11
Turn right onto Gunbarrel Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Gunbarrel Road
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto SR 320
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Brainerd Road
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Graysville Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Graysville Road
14
Turn right onto Iris Drive
479 ft
·
21 sec
·
Iris Drive
15
Arrive at destination
Iris Drive
Trip Plan
Since the trip is under two hours, you have significant flexibility in your departure time, though checking local traffic patterns on I-75 is always a smart move to avoid potential delays. You won't need to plan for formal stops, as the duration is short enough to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep your $15 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as prices can fluctuate between your origin in Brentwood and your arrival in East Brainerd. To ensure a smooth transition into your destination, pay close attention to your GPS as you exit the interstate onto Gunbarrel Road to navigate the final local miles efficiently.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.2 miles from Brentwood, TN, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.2 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Brainerd, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brentwood, TN
This is one driving day of about 96.4 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Brentwood, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 79 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.2 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 92.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
SR 169 / Middlebrook Pike
Turn right onto SR 169 / Middlebrook Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
North Cedar Bluff Road
Turn left onto North Cedar Bluff Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 40, I 75
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 40, I 75
7
12.9 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
6
92.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
Gunbarrel Road
Turn right onto Gunbarrel Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.07 one way
$30.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.55 | $33.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.55 | $37.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.28 | $42.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.12 | $4.63 |
| Efficient EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.44 | $3.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.50 | $6.17 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
East Brainerd, TN
Morning in East Brainerd on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Athens, TN
48 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 53m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 92% of this trip consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40 and I-75, which carry the heaviest traffic flow for the majority of the 96.4 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 79-mile run on I-75, allowing you to settle into a steady pace. Once you exit the interstate, the final leg of the journey utilizes Gunbarrel Road to guide you into East Brainerd. The personality of this route is strictly functional, prioritizing fast transit over winding scenic detours.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near SR 169 / Middlebrook Pike.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 96.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.1 miles (SR 169 / Middlebrook Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (North Cedar Bluff Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 1h 53m. Total distance: 96.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 East Brainerd, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (SR 169 / Middlebrook Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (North Cedar Bluff Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at East Brainerd, TN before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. 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 East Brainerd, TN
More trips to East Brainerd, TN
Explore more options from Brentwood, TN or browse trips ending in East Brainerd, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.