Whitwell, TN to Bartlett, TN is 312.9 miles and takes about 5h 49m via I-40 and I-24, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a predominantly highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with minimal deviations from major interstates. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points without extensive planning.
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
156.4 miles from Whitwell, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
157.6 mi
2h 49m
I 24
81.9 mi
1h 31m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
SR 28
6.8 mi
9m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
TN 28
4.9 mi
5m
South Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
East Spring Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 157.6 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitwell, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on East Spring Street
74 ft·7 sec·East Spring Street
2
Turn left onto SR 108
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Take the ramp
246 ft·6 sec
4
Merge onto SR 28
6.8 mi·9 min·SR 28
5
Continue on TN 28
4.9 mi·5 min·TN 28
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
7
Merge onto I 24
82 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 40
158 mi·2 hr 49 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 18Toward US 64: BartlettUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 64: Bartlett, SomervilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto US 64
5.6 mi·10 min·Stage Road
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
TN 15
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 49m estimated drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample daylight and a buffer for any unforeseen delays. You'll have one main stretch of 157.6 miles on I-40, so plan a fuel and rest stop before or after that section to stay comfortable. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so ensure you have adequate funds or a working payment method. With a 97% highway share, keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach larger towns along I-40.
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 156.4 miles from Whitwell, TN, or about 2h 56m 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 69 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.4 miles or 2h 56m 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 44m
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 Whitwell, 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 Whitwell, TN
This is one driving day of about 312.9 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Whitwell, 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.
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 12.8 and 307.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12.8 mi into trip|~17m in|I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
94.7 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
5
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
306.9 mi into trip|~5h 38m 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
307.1 mi into trip|~5h 39m 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
$46.21 one way
$92.42 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.01
$102.03
premium
$4.72
$58.10
$116.19
diesel
$4.80
$59.08
$118.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.9
1
$32.85
$15.02
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.38
$12.52
EV Truck/SUV
125.2
1
$43.81
$20.03
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Whitwell, TN
Afternoon
in Whitwell on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bartlett, TN
Afternoon
in Bartlett on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
WNW 5 to 10 mph4% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 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 49m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 97.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 97% of it on major interstates. You'll be spending most of your time on I-40 and I-24, which are designed for steady, high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 157.6 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the profile is primarily highway, the transition between I-24 and I-40 will be a key part of the journey. Expect a consistent driving experience throughout, with the focus on efficient transit.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in near I 24.
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 10 significant decision points across 312.9 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 12.8 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.6 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
764 ft278 ft
Total Climb
282 ft
Total Descent
681 ft
Highest Point
764 ft
~156.4 mi in
Elevation Range
486 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 Whitwell, TN to Bartlett, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
94.7 mi in|~1h 48m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 5h 49m. Total distance: 312.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
Yes — we found about 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.6 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
