Crossing Tennessee from LaFollette to Bartlett is a significant 386.4-mile journey that spans the state from the Southeast region. You should plan for about 7 hours and 24 minutes of driving time, making this a long but manageable one-day trip if you are prepared for a full day behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $59 for fuel will cover your transit across these two points. Because the route is quite lengthy, you might consider if you prefer a steady push or a more relaxed pace with a few scheduled breaks. It is a straightforward transit across the state, perfect for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two locations.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
193.2 miles from LaFollette, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
326.7 mi
5h 53m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Frost Bottom Road
7.1 mi
12m
US 25W
5.7 mi
6m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
Briceville Highway
5.3 mi
9m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
West Central Avenue
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 326.7 mi, about 5h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between LaFollette, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on SR 63
0.8 mi·1 min·East Central Avenue
2
Continue on US 25W; SR 63
0.3 mi·19 sec·Jackson Pike
3
Continue on US 25W; SR 63
3.3 mi·5 min·Jacksboro Pike
4
Continue on US 25W; TN 63
3.8 mi·4 min·West Central Avenue
5
Continue on US 25W; TN 63
0.1 mi·8 sec·Royal Blue Road
6
Take the exit onto US 25W
5.7 mi·6 min·US 25W
Toward Knoxville
7
Take the exit onto I 75; US 25W
0.2 mi·25 sec·I 75; US 25W
Toward US 25W South: Rocky Top, Lake City
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75; US 25W
241 ft·5 sec·I 75; US 25W
9
Turn slight right onto US 25W; SR 116
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
10
Turn right onto SR 116
3.8 mi·9 min·Creek Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto SR 116
234 ft·7 sec·Briceville Highway
12
Continue on SR 116
5.2 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
13
Continue on SR 330
166 ft·3 sec·Briceville Highway
14
Continue on SR 330
7.1 mi·12 min·Frost Bottom Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
0.4 mi·43 sec·Dutch Valley Road
16
Continue on SR 330
0.5 mi·1 min·Walden Avenue
17
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 330
0.6 mi·1 min·East Spring Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
0.1 mi·14 sec·Main Street
19
Continue on SR 330
0.2 mi·24 sec·Railroad Avenue
20
Turn right onto SR 330
447 ft·11 sec·Winter Gap Road
21
Turn left onto SR 61
1.2 mi·1 min·East Tri County Boulevard
22
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
23
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
24
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
25
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
26
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
27
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
28
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
31
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
190 mi·3 hr 25 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 18Toward US 64: BartlettUse the slight right lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, SomervilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
36
Turn straight onto US 64
5.6 mi·10 min·Stage Road
Use the left lane.
37
Arrive at destination
TN 15
Trip Plan
Since you have a long day ahead, aim to leave LaFollette early to avoid potential traffic delays as you transition onto the interstate. With two recommended stops along the way, use these breaks to refresh and break up the monotony of the 326.7-mile interstate stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the highway portions, as the constant speed will impact your consumption. Given the 7 hour and 24 minute duration, having your stops planned in advance will help you maintain a steady pace. Flexibility is your best tool here, so adjust your departure time if you prefer to arrive in Bartlett with daylight to spare.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193.2 miles from LaFollette, TN, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 326.7 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 85 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.2 miles or 3h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 15m
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 LaFollette, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from LaFollette, TN
This is one driving day of about 386.4 miles and 7h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from LaFollette, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 326.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 185.3 and 380.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
185.3 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
8
187.4 mi into trip|~3h 43m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
190.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
7
380.5 mi into trip|~7h 13m 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
380.7 mi into trip|~7h 14m 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
$60.41 one way
$120.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$66.33
$132.65
premium
$4.89
$74.36
$148.72
diesel
$5.61
$85.31
$170.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.9
1
$40.57
$18.55
Efficient EV
96.6
1
$33.81
$15.46
EV Truck/SUV
154.6
1
$54.10
$24.73
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
LaFollette, TN
Night
in LaFollette on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bartlett, TN
Night
in Bartlett on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
193 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
25 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
7h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 173.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 86% of your time spent on major routes like I-40, Harriman Highway, and Frost Bottom Road. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm during the 326.7-mile stretch on I-40, which makes up the bulk of your journey. While the local roads at the start and end provide a change of pace, the experience is defined by the high-speed, interstate-heavy nature of the trip. Expect a practical, no-nonsense drive where the focus is on covering distance efficiently rather than navigating technical, winding backroads.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 326.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 185.3 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 20 significant decision points across 386.4 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 185.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,746 ft278 ft
Total Climb
672 ft
Total Descent
1,468 ft
Highest Point
1,746 ft
~82.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,468 ft
Notable High Points
1,746 ft at ~82.8 miles+507 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between LaFollette, TN and Bartlett, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Memphis
187.4 mi in|~3h 43m|via I 40
Louisville
188.5 mi in|~3h 45m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 24m. Total distance: 386.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 326.7 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 185.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 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.
