Origin
Brentwood, TN
Morning in Brentwood on Sunday
Local time
6:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brentwood, TN to Nashville, 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 14m
Distance
172.8 mi
278 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brentwood, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel the 172.5 miles between Brentwood and Nashville, expect a journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes. Because this route is designed as a turn-heavy local drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget about $26 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you won't experience major geographic shifts, but the local road focus offers a different pace than a standard interstate commute. It is an ideal trip if you prefer a more engaged driving experience over a straight shot on a highway.
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
86.4 miles from Brentwood, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 166.3 mi | 3h |
| North Cedar Bluff Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Downtown Loop | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Chert Pit Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Middlebrook Pike | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 24 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 166.3 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brentwood, TN and Nashville, 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 right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 24
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Use the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
129 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue North
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 172.5-mile drive, you have the flexibility to complete the trip in one day with ease. Plan for at least one stop to break up the technical nature of the local roads, which will help keep you fresh behind the wheel. Given the turn-heavy layout, checking your tire pressure before departure is a smart way to ensure your vehicle handles the corners well. Because there are no long, straight highway stretches, keep a close eye on your navigation to avoid missing turns on Middlebrook Pike or North Cedar Bluff Road. Starting your drive in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to navigate the turns safely and comfortably.
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 86.4 miles from Brentwood, TN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.3 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, 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 172.8 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 166.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.4 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 166.3 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 1.1 and 171.3 — 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.
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
9
169.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
|
I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
8
171.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 48
Toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.02 one way
$54.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.66 | $59.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.25 | $66.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.15 | $76.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.14 | $8.29 |
| Efficient EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.12 | $6.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.19 | $11.06 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Nashville, TN
Late night in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Monterey, TN
86 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
30 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 14m 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?
This trip ditches the highway entirely, featuring a 0% highway share that keeps you on local roads throughout. You will navigate via Chert Pit Road, Middlebrook Pike, and North Cedar Bluff Road, ensuring a constant focus on the road ahead. Because the route is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, you won't find long, monotonous stretches; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Chert Pit Road. Expect a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and navigation require your full attention. It is a technical, winding path that demands more engagement than your typical freeway cruise.
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: 166.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and North Cedar Bluff Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near SR 169 / Middlebrook Pike.
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 172.8 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 1.1 miles (SR 169 / Middlebrook Pike): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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 14m. Total distance: 172.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m 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 166.3 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 Nashville, 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 1.1 miles (SR 169 / Middlebrook Pike): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashville, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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