Origin
McMinnville, TN
Morning in McMinnville on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McMinnville, TN to Bartlett, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
266.8 mi
429 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McMinnville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Bartlett, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 266.8-mile journey from McMinnville, TN, to Bartlett, TN, a drive that typically takes around 5 hours and 2 minutes. This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the drive on major roads like I-40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and John Bragg Highway. Given its manageable duration and the estimated fuel cost of $42, this trip is perfectly suited as a single-day adventure, eliminating the need for an overnight stop. You'll be traversing the Southeast region of Tennessee for the entirety of your trip. This is a straightforward drive, ideal for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
133.4 miles from McMinnville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 157.6 mi | 2h 49m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 53.7 mi | 58m |
| John Bragg Highway | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| Nashville Highway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| McMinnville Highway | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| I 24 | 6.5 mi | 6m |
| Stage Road | 5.6 mi | 10m |
| South Rutherford Boulevard | 3.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 157.6 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McMinnville, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on Walling Street
394 ft
·
23 sec
·
Walling Street
2
Turn left onto North Spring Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Spring Street
3
Turn right onto SR 380
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Morford Street
4
Continue on SR 380
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on US 70S
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Nashville Highway
6
Continue on US 70S
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
McMinnville Highway
7
Continue on US 70S; SR 53
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
8
Continue on US 70S
16 mi
·
18 min
·
John Bragg Highway
9
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
South Rutherford Boulevard
10
Turn left onto US 231
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Church Street
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 24
6.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 840
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40
158 mi
·
2 hr 49 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 18
Toward US 64: Bartlett
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, Somerville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto US 64
5.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Stage Road
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
TN 15
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from McMinnville to maximize your daylight and arrive in Bartlett with ample time. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially during the 157.6-mile stretch on I-40 where services might be less frequent. Plan for one primary stop to stretch your legs and perhaps grab a bite. Since this is a single-day trip, the flexibility allows you to adjust your pace as needed, but be mindful of potential traffic as you approach your destination in Bartlett.
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 133.4 miles from McMinnville, TN, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.6 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 59 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.4 miles or 2h 34m 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 6m
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 McMinnville, 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 McMinnville, TN
This is one driving day of about 266.8 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from McMinnville, 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 157.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.4 miles from McMinnville, 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 157.6 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 261 — 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
|
North Spring Street
Turn left onto North Spring Street
Navigation decision point
7
41.8 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
8
48.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
7
260.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m 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
261 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m 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
$41.71 one way
$83.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.80 | $91.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.34 | $102.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.91 | $117.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80 | 0 | $28.01 | $12.81 |
| Efficient EV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.35 | $10.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.7 | 1 | $37.35 | $17.08 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Bartlett, TN
Morning in Bartlett on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
4 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 2m 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.
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 46.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards a highway-focused profile, with 82% of the route utilizing major roadways. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 157.6-mile segment primarily on I-40. While the majority of the trip involves the efficiency of interstates and parkways, there are also portions on John Bragg Highway that may offer a slightly different driving rhythm. The character of the road is largely about covering distance effectively, with the focus remaining on the journey's progression rather than extensive scenic detours.
82% 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: 157.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Spring Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 266.8 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 0.1 miles (North Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 McMinnville, TN to Bartlett, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
48.7 mi in
|
~1h 1m
About the Cities
Arriving in Bartlett, TN
Full guide →Bartlett is a city in metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee. It has several buildings of historic interest, and a walkable Historic District". In 2018, the population of Bartlett was almost 60,000. The Trail of Tears runs along Stage Road through the city. It commemorates the forced relocations between 1830 and 1850 of approximately 60,000 Native Americans from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern U.S. to areas west of the Mississippi River that had been designated as Indian Territory.
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 266.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.6 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 0.1 miles (North Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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