Spanning 362 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Oak Ridge to Bartlett takes approximately 5 hours and 22 minutes of drive time. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should plan for a full day of travel. Budgeting roughly $55 for fuel is a smart move to cover the distance comfortably. While it is possible to complete the journey in one day, the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you will spend significant time behind the wheel. Both cities sit within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you traverse the state from east to west. It is a straightforward trip for those who prefer backroads over the monotony of high-speed transit.
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
179.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
326.7 mi
5h 53m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
East Tri County Boulevard
5.7 mi
6m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Hannah Highway
2.1 mi
2m
North Illinois Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 326.7 mi, about 5h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Ridge, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on TN 62
1.0 mi·1 min·North Illinois Avenue
2
Continue on SR 62
5.7 mi·6 min·East Tri County Boulevard
3
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
4
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
5
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
6
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
7
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
8
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
9
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 18Toward US 64: BartlettUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, SomervilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto US 64
5.6 mi·10 min·Stage Road
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
TN 15
Trip Plan
Since you are tackling a 5 hour and 22 minute drive on local roads, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. Aim to incorporate at least one solid stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the lack of highway segments makes the driving feel more intense. Keep your $55 fuel budget accessible, as local routes may have different refueling options than major trucking corridors. Given the technical nature of the roads, prioritize checking your tire pressure and vehicle fluids before you head out of Oak Ridge. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this trip, so don't hesitate to take a slightly longer break if the turns and local traffic start to wear on you.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.3 miles from Oak Ridge, TN, or about 3h 17m 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 79 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.3 miles or 3h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 26m
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 Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, TN
This is one driving day of about 358.6 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Oak Ridge, 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 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 157.5 and 352.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
157.5 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
159.6 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
163 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
352.7 mi into trip|~6h 24m 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
352.9 mi into trip|~6h 25m 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
$52.96 one way
$105.91 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$58.46
$116.93
premium
$4.72
$66.58
$133.16
diesel
$4.80
$67.71
$135.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.6
1
$37.65
$17.21
Efficient EV
89.7
1
$31.38
$14.34
EV Truck/SUV
143.4
1
$50.20
$22.95
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Oak Ridge, TN
Night
in Oak Ridge on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bartlett, TN
Night
in Bartlett on Saturday
Local time
9:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% 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
1 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
6h 35m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 136
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate slog, as this route consists entirely of local roads like East Tri County Boulevard, Harriman Highway, and Bitter Creek Highway. With a highway share of 0%, this is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention at the wheel. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed driving here; instead, the path prioritizes navigating through local corridors. The road's personality is technical and engaging, requiring you to stay alert through every curve and intersection. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience where the pace is dictated by the terrain rather than cruise control.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
8/10
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 157.5 miles in near I 40.
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 11 significant decision points across 358.6 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 157.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,804 ft278 ft
Total Climb
1,245 ft
Total Descent
1,817 ft
Highest Point
1,804 ft
~51.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,526 ft
Notable High Points
1,804 ft at ~51.2 miles+540 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oak Ridge, TN and Bartlett, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Oak Ridge is a city in Tennessee. Oak Ridge was created as secret city during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project. In Oak Ridge, thousands worked in secrecy to enrich the uranium used in the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The city is no longer secret, but it has a rich history worth exploring, and a strong bent toward science and technology. Oak Ridge is Appalachia and the nuclear age rolled into one, a great city to check out.
Top landmarks
•Manhattan Project National Historical Park — Historic Park covering Manhattan Project infrastructure in New Mexico, Tennessee...
•Alexander Inn — United States historic place
•Oak Ridge Historic District — historic district in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 358.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m 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.
Yes — we found about 34 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 157.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
