This 221.7-mile drive from Springfield, TN to Bartlett, TN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 9 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical option for a quick trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $35, it's an economical choice for travelers within Tennessee. The route is primarily composed of interstate driving, offering a consistent pace for the majority of your travel. Consider leaving early to maximize your daylight hours for the drive.
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
110.8 miles from Springfield, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
185.4 mi
3h 19m
Whites Creek Pike
12.3 mi
16m
Briley Parkway
7.9 mi
8m
Tom Austin Highway
7.5 mi
8m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
Memorial Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
East 5th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
South Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.4 mi, about 3h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on South Main Street
45 ft·4 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto TN 49
0.2 mi·18 sec·East 5th Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 41; US 431
1.2 mi·1 min·Memorial Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 431
7.5 mi·8 min·Tom Austin Highway
5
Continue on US 431
5.1 mi·5 min·Whites Creek Pike
6
Continue on US 431
5.8 mi·8 min·Whites Creek Pike
7
Continue on US 431
1.5 mi·2 min·Whites Creek Pike
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward TN 155 West: Briley Parkway
9
Merge onto TN 155
7.9 mi·8 min·Briley Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 27A-BToward I 40: Nashville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 27BToward I 40 West: MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 40
185 mi·3 hr 19 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
Given the 4-hour duration, this route is very manageable as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Starting your drive in the morning is advisable to avoid potential rush hour traffic and to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-40, as services can be spread out. A good tip is to aim to pass through Nashville during off-peak hours if possible.
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 110.8 miles from Springfield, TN, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.4 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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.8 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, TN
This is one driving day of about 221.7 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Springfield, 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 185.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.3 and 215.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
21.3 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the ramp toward TN 155 West: Briley Parkway
Navigation decision point
Toward TN 155 West: Briley Parkway
8
29.4 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Nashville, 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.
Exit 27A-B
Toward I 40: Nashville, Memphis
8
29.8 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27B
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
7
215.7 mi into trip|~3h 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
215.9 mi into trip|~3h 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
$32.74 one way
$65.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.14
$72.29
premium
$4.72
$41.16
$82.33
diesel
$4.80
$41.86
$83.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
Efficient EV
55.4
0
$19.40
$8.87
EV Truck/SUV
88.7
1
$31.04
$14.19
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Springfield, TN
Late night
in Springfield on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Bartlett, TN
Late night
in Bartlett on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WNW 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
4h 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this route, with 87% of the drive taking place on interstates. The majority of your time will be spent on I-40, where you'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 185.4 miles. This means long, consistent periods of driving, so be prepared for a steady pace. While the bulk of the journey is on high-speed roads, you'll also navigate segments on Whites Creek Pike and Briley Parkway, which may offer a slight change of pace before rejoining the interstate.
87% 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: 185.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Whites Creek Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.3 miles in.
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 10 significant decision points across 221.7 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 21.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 29.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
788 ft278 ft
Total Climb
470 ft
Total Descent
859 ft
Highest Point
788 ft
~63.3 mi in
Elevation Range
510 ft
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 Springfield, TN to Bartlett, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
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 4h 9m. Total distance: 221.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 29.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bartlett, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
