Brentwood, TN to Lawrenceburg, TN is 250.1 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 40 and Bear Creek Pike, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within the Southeast region, primarily in Tennessee. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a relatively straightforward drive. Given the short duration and highway focus, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
125.1 miles from Brentwood, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
142.1 mi
2h 33m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
44.6 mi
47m
Bear Creek Pike
30.4 mi
34m
I 65
11.5 mi
12m
Andrew Jackson Highway
10.8 mi
12m
North Locust Avenue
3.6 mi
4m
North Cedar Bluff Road
1.6 mi
3m
Chert Pit Road
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 142.1 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brentwood, TN and Lawrenceburg, 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 75Use 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
133 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 235Toward I 840 West: Memphis, MurfreesboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 840
45 mi·47 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 31Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 31AToward I 65 South: HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 65
11 mi·12 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 46Toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
15
Keep slight right at fork
162 ft·4 sec
Exit 46Toward 412: Columbia
16
Turn right onto US 412
30 mi·34 min·Bear Creek Pike
17
Continue on US 43
11 mi·12 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
18
Continue on US 43
3.6 mi·4 min·North Locust Avenue
19
Turn right onto East Gaines Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·East Gaines Street
20
Turn right onto Jeter Way
117 ft·7 sec·Jeter Way
21
Turn right
86 ft·6 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this single-day trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours. With a total drive time under 5 hours, you'll only need one stop, so plan it strategically along I 40 for fuel and a quick break. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Brentwood. As you approach Lawrenceburg, be aware of the transition from highway to surface roads like Bear Creek Pike, which will have a different pace.
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 125.1 miles from Brentwood, TN, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.1 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 55 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.1 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawrenceburg, 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 250.1 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 142.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.9 and 204.9 — 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
8
145.6 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 235
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
8
191.3 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
8
191.6 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
7
204.9 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 412: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 46
Toward 412: Columbia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.72 one way
$83.44 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$45.34
$90.69
premium
$5.26
$51.78
$103.57
diesel
$6.18
$60.84
$121.68
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: 87.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.26
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.88
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$35.01
$16.01
Gas CO2
88 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Brentwood, TN
Morning
in Brentwood on Monday
Local time
8:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lawrenceburg, TN
Morning
in Lawrenceburg on Monday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
76°F
Hartsville, TN
125 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 37m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 172.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 79% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 40. You'll encounter a long stretch of 142.1 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a significant number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate the interstate sections.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 250.1 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 12.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,960 ft552 ft
Total Climb
1,759 ft
Total Descent
1,912 ft
Highest Point
1,960 ft
~71.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,408 ft
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 Lawrenceburg, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Murfreesboro, Huntsville, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill and 412: Columbia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 250.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Lawrenceburg, 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Lawrenceburg, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
