Planning a 159.4-mile drive from East Brainard, TN to Hendersonville, TN? This trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 7 minutes, is a straightforward journey primarily on I-24. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, it's an economical option for a single-day adventure. The route stays within Tennessee, offering a continuous drive through the Southeast region. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is perfectly suited as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll find this drive to be largely highway-focused.
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
79.7 miles from East Brainerd, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
145.9 mi
2h 45m
West Main Street
2.7 mi
4m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
2.4 mi
2m
Downtown Loop
2.3 mi
3m
East Brainerd Road
2.3 mi
4m
I 75
1.4 mi
1m
Graysville Road
0.6 mi
1m
I 65
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 145.9 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Brainerd, TN and Hendersonville, TN.
1
Start on Iris Drive
479 ft·28 sec·Iris Drive
2
Turn left onto Graysville Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Graysville Road
3
Turn left onto SR 320
2.3 mi·4 min·East Brainerd Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Merge onto I 75
1.4 mi·1 min·I 75
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 24
134 mi·2 hr 31 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.2 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 52AToward I 24West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 24
9.0 mi·10 min·I 24
Exit 46AToward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on I 65
0.2 mi·14 sec·I 65
13
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386
2.4 mi·2 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Exit 95Toward SR 386: Hendersonville, GallatinUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 2Toward Center Point Road, HendersonvilleUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
163 ft·6 sec
Toward Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, HendersonvilleUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto Center Point Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Center Point Road
17
Turn left onto US 31E
2.7 mi·4 min·West Main Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Walton Ferry Road
53 ft·1 sec·Walton Ferry Road
19
Arrive at destination
Walton Ferry Road
Trip Plan
For this 159.4-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic as you get closer to Hendersonville. With a duration of just over 3 hours, you might only need one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 145.9 miles on I-24, so be sure to have your chosen entertainment ready. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise, especially on longer highway segments like the one you'll encounter here, with an estimated fuel cost of $25.
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 79.7 miles from East Brainerd, TN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.9 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.7 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendersonville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Brainerd, 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 East Brainerd, TN
This is one driving day of about 159.4 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from East Brainerd, 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 24 for about 145.9 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 139.7 and 156.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
139.7 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
141.9 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
9
153.8 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 95
Toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
8
156.2 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward Center Point Road, Hendersonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward Center Point Road, Hendersonville
9
156.5 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, Hendersonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, Hend...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.92 one way
$49.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.36
$54.72
premium
$4.89
$30.68
$61.35
diesel
$5.61
$35.19
$70.39
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: 55.8 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
47.8
0
$16.74
$7.65
Efficient EV
39.9
0
$13.95
$6.38
EV Truck/SUV
63.8
0
$22.32
$10.20
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 16, 2026
Origin
East Brainerd, TN
Morning
in East Brainerd on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hendersonville, TN
Late night
in Hendersonville on Sunday
Local time
5:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph39% chanceLive 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 7m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 115.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 93% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-24, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 145.9 miles. While I-24 forms the backbone of this trip, you'll also navigate sections of West Main Street and Vietnam Veterans Boulevard as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, making it an efficient way to cover the distance.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.9 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and West Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.7 miles in near I 24.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 159.4 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 139.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.8 miles (TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 East Brainerd, TN to Hendersonville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Hendersonville is a city in Sumner County of the American state of Tennessee. It is a well-known suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, and has been the home of many country music stars, including Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 159.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.9 miles on I 24. 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 Hendersonville, 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 139.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.8 miles (TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hendersonville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
