Red Boiling Springs, TN to Bartlett, TN is 265.9 miles and takes about 5h 9m via I 40 and US 31E, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, predominantly within Tennessee. Expect a highway-focused journey with about 81% on major roads. It's a straightforward trip, ideal if you're looking for efficiency over extensive sightseeing. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B reliably and without too many detours.
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 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
189.3 mi
3h 24m
Lafayette Road
23.7 mi
35m
US 31E
16.9 mi
21m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
15.1 mi
17m
I 65
9 mi
10m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
Long Hollow Pike
2 mi
2m
Downtown Loop
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 189.3 mi, about 3h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Boiling Springs, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on SR 56
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto SR 52
24 mi·35 min·Lafayette Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 31E; US 231
17 mi·21 min·US 31E; US 231
4
Continue on US 31E
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Broadway
5
Turn right onto TN 25
0.4 mi·31 sec·Red River Road
6
Turn straight onto SR 174
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Hollow Pike
7
Continue on TN 386
15 mi·17 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 65
8.7 mi·10 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 65
0.3 mi·32 sec·I 65
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 65
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Exit 84BToward I 40 West: Memphis
12
Merge onto I 40
189 mi·3 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 18Toward US 64: BartlettUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, SomervilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto US 64
5.6 mi·10 min·Stage Road
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
TN 15
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 5 hours, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and to avoid potential traffic congestion as the day progresses. While the longest stretch on I 40 is substantial, the overall drive is manageable without needing an overnight stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long interstate portion, and utilize the single suggested stop to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Given the predominantly highway nature, ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you set off.
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 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.3 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 58 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 40m 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 12m
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 Red Boiling Springs, 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 Red Boiling Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 265.9 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Red Boiling Springs, 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 189.3 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 1.2 and 260.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 52 / Lafayette Road
Turn right onto SR 52 / Lafayette Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
59.4 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|I 65
Take the exit onto I 65 toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
7
260 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
260.2 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
$41.57 one way
$83.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.64
$91.29
premium
$4.89
$51.17
$102.34
diesel
$5.61
$58.71
$117.41
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 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
79.8
0
$27.92
$12.76
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.27
$10.64
EV Truck/SUV
106.4
1
$37.23
$17.02
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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Red Boiling Springs, TN
Late night
in Red Boiling Springs on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bartlett, TN
Late night
in Bartlett on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 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
8 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 9m 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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 73.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 189.3 miles on I 40, offering consistent speed and fewer interruptions. The initial part of the journey might involve local roads like Lafayette Road and US 31E before merging onto the interstate. The character is predominantly one of swift travel, with the majority of your time spent on high-speed corridors, making for a predictable and efficient driving experience.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 189.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Lafayette Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near SR 52 / Lafayette Road.
Driving Effort7/10
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 265.9 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 1.2 miles (SR 52 / Lafayette Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 65): 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.
On the drive from Red Boiling Springs, TN to Bartlett, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
68.1 mi in|~1h 29m|via I 65
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 265.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 189.3 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 1.2 miles (SR 52 / Lafayette Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 65): 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
