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Trip from Dickson, TN to Bartlett, 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 4m

Distance

160.6 mi

258 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Tennessee, USA

Dickson, TN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Tennessee, USA

Bartlett, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 163.7-mile journey from Dickson, TN, to Bartlett, TN, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 2 hours and 36 minutes to complete. With a projected fuel cost of around $25, it's an economical trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Church Street and Center Avenue, with some segments on SR 48, and involves a high number of turns. This drive is best suited for those who prefer a more involved, local road experience rather than highway cruising, as it has zero highway share. It's a straightforward drive within the Southeast region, making it a convenient option for a quick regional excursion.

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

80.3 miles from Dickson, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 145.1 mi 2h 36m
Center Avenue 9.1 mi 16m
Stage Road 5.6 mi 10m
Church Street 0.1 mi <1m
West College Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 145.1 mi, about 2h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dickson, TN and Bartlett, TN.

1

Start on US 70 Business

386 ft · 9 sec · West College Street
2

Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Church Street
3

Continue on SR 48 Alternate

9.1 mi · 16 min · Center Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 163 Toward SR 48: Centerville
5

Merge onto I 40

145 mi · 2 hr 36 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 18 Toward US 64: Bartlett Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, Somerville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Turn straight onto US 64

5.6 mi · 10 min · Stage Road
Use the left lane.
9

Arrive at destination

TN 15

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hours and 36 minutes estimated duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, you'll want to plan for a departure time that avoids peak local traffic if possible. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight for navigation, especially since there are no long, uninterrupted stretches that might lull you into complacency. The $25 fuel cost is quite reasonable for this 163.7-mile trip, so ensure your tank is full before you set off from Dickson, TN, to minimize any unexpected stops for gas.

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 80.3 miles from Dickson, TN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.1 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 35 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 80.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 28m

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 Dickson, 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 Dickson, TN

This is one driving day of about 160.6 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Dickson, 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 145.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mount Carmel, TN

80 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.

Popular next leg

Mount Carmel, TN to Bartlett, TN

130.1 mi · 2h 46m

Pacing Suggestions

Hohenwald, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mount Carmel, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from Dickson, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.1 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 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 154.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 48 Alternate / Church Street

Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate / Church Street

Navigation decision point

5
9.3 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the ramp toward SR 48: Centerville

Navigation decision point

Exit 163 Toward SR 48: Centerville
5
9.5 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
154.6 mi into trip | ~2h 53m 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
154.9 mi into trip | ~2h 53m 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

$25.11 one way

$50.22 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.57 $55.14
premium $4.89 $30.91 $61.81
diesel $5.61 $35.46 $70.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.2 0 $16.86 $7.71
Efficient EV 40.2 0 $14.05 $6.42
EV Truck/SUV 64.2 0 $22.48 $10.28

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Dickson, TN

Late night in Dickson on Sunday

Local time

12:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

19 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 4m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with no highway segments contributing to its 163.7-mile length. The road surface is entirely comprised of local roads, including Church Street, Center Avenue, and SR 48, meaning you'll be navigating through communities for the entire trip. There isn't a 'longest stretch' to speak of, as the frequent turns keep you engaged. This type of drive offers a hands-on experience of the local landscape and infrastructure, providing a direct connection to the areas you pass through.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.1 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Center Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 48 Alternate / Church Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 160.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 145.1 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bartlett, 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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