Traveling from Celina to Bartlett covers 288.8 miles across Tennessee, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes behind the wheel. Because this trip is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $44 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. Navigating this route involves a blend of local roads like Celina Road and Dow Avenue before transitioning onto the interstate system. It is a straightforward trip for those looking to cross the state efficiently while maintaining a predictable schedule.
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
144.4 miles from Celina, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
189.3 mi
3h 24m
Celina Road
27.7 mi
41m
Dow Avenue
20 mi
26m
US 31E
16.9 mi
21m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
15.1 mi
17m
I 65
9 mi
10m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
Long Hollow Pike
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 189.3 mi, about 3h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Celina, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on SR 52
221 ft·10 sec·Brown Street
2
Turn left onto SR 52
20 mi·26 min·Dow Avenue
3
Continue on SR 52
28 mi·41 min·Celina Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto US 31E; US 231
17 mi·21 min·US 31E; US 231
5
Continue on US 31E
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Broadway
6
Turn right onto TN 25
0.4 mi·31 sec·Red River Road
7
Turn straight onto SR 174
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Hollow Pike
8
Continue on TN 386
15 mi·17 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 65
8.7 mi·10 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 65
0.3 mi·32 sec·I 65
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Exit 84BToward I 40 West: Memphis
13
Merge onto I 40
189 mi·3 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 18Toward US 64: BartlettUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, SomervilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 64
5.6 mi·10 min·Stage Road
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
TN 15
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 40-minute drive, try to depart early in the day to avoid peak traffic conditions. Since the route includes one recommended stop, plan your break strategically to coincide with the conclusion of the longest highway segment to keep your energy levels up. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-40, as the 189.3-mile stretch can move quickly once you reach highway speeds. Flexibility is a major advantage for this trip, so feel free to adjust your single stop based on your personal comfort rather than a rigid schedule. Since you are navigating both local roads and major interstates, ensure your GPS is updated to handle the transition between Dow Avenue and the highway system smoothly.
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 144.4 miles from Celina, TN, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.3 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 64 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.4 miles or 2h 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 4h 39m
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 Celina, 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 Celina, TN
This is one driving day of about 288.8 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Celina, 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 189.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 82.3 and 283.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
91 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 65
Take the exit onto I 65 toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
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.
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
5
91.4 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
282.9 mi into trip|~5h 29m 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
283.1 mi into trip|~5h 29m 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
$45.15 one way
$90.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.57
$99.15
premium
$4.89
$55.58
$111.15
diesel
$5.61
$63.76
$127.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.6
1
$30.32
$13.86
Efficient EV
72.2
0
$25.27
$11.55
EV Truck/SUV
115.5
1
$40.43
$18.48
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Celina, TN
Late night
in Celina on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
5 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
5h 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily on highway travel, with 75% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a long rhythm, particularly during the 189.3-mile stretch on I-40, which forms the core of your navigation. While the initial miles on local surface streets require more focus, the majority of the trip is a highway-focused experience designed for steady progress. Expect the terrain to remain consistent as you move across the region, transitioning from the smaller connections of Celina Road into the primary interstate corridor that carries you toward Bartlett.
75% 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: 189.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Celina Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 82.3 miles in near I 65.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 288.8 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 82.3 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 91 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.4 miles (I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from Celina, TN to Bartlett, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
91 mi in|~2h 1m|via I 65
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 288.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 189.3 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 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 82.3 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 91 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.4 miles (I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bartlett, TN before the return drive.
