The drive from Bartlett, TN to Red Bank, TN covers 396.7 miles and takes about 7h 35m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, I 40, Lamar Alexander Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 189.2 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $62.02 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.4 miles from Bartlett, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 35m. Total distance: 396.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Bartlett, TN to Red Bank, TN covers 396.7 miles and takes about 7h 35m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 189.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
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 12 significant decision points across 396.7 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 6.1 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~11m in|I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
195.3 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
198.5 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
8
351.5 mi into trip|~6h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...
10
351.8 mi into trip|~6h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bartlett, TN and Red Bank, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.
Huntsville
195.3 mi in|~3h 35m
Louisville
198 mi in|~3h 39m|via I 40
Knoxville
198 mi in|~3h 39m|via I 40
Chattanooga
198 mi in|~3h 39m|via I 40
Oak Ridge
351.5 mi in|~6h 26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
189.2 mi
3h 24m
I 40
153 mi
2h 46m
Lamar Alexander Parkway
26.9 mi
36m
East Lamar Alexander Parkway
13.9 mi
21m
Stage Road
5.8 mi
10m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
Old Tuckaleechee Road
1.3 mi
3m
Cavern Road
1.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 189.2 mi, about 3h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bartlett, TN and Red Bank, TN.
1
Start on TN 15
5.8 mi·10 min·Stage Road
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Nashville
3
Merge onto I 40
189 mi·3 hr 24 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
153 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 364Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak RidgeUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
150 ft·2 sec
Exit 364Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak RidgeUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto US 321
27 mi·36 min·Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 321
14 mi·21 min·East Lamar Alexander Parkway
12
Turn right onto Old Tuckaleechee Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Old Tuckaleechee Road
13
Turn slight right onto Old Cades Cove Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Cades Cove Road
14
Turn slight left onto Dry Valley Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Dry Valley Road
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Cavern Road
1.2 mi·3 min·Cavern Road
16
Turn slight left onto Schoolhouse Gap Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Schoolhouse Gap Road
17
Turn right onto Pam Lane
123 ft·5 sec·Pam Lane
18
Arrive at destination
Pam Lane
Trip Plan
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.4 miles from Bartlett, TN, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.2 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 87 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.4 miles or 3h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Bank, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bartlett, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bartlett, TN
This is one driving day of about 396.7 miles and 7h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Bartlett, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway for about 189.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 198.4 mi from Bartlett, TN
· 3h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 198.4 miles from Bartlett, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 189.2 miles.
Arriving in Red Bank, TN
The final approach into Red Bank, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Red Bank, TN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 396.7
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 218.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.02 one way
$124.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$68.09
$136.19
premium
$4.89
$76.34
$152.68
diesel
$5.61
$87.59
$175.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119
1
$41.65
$19.04
Efficient EV
99.2
1
$34.71
$15.87
EV Truck/SUV
158.7
1
$55.54
$25.39
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bartlett, TN
Night
in Bartlett on Friday
Local time
9:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Red Bank, TN
Night
in Red Bank on Friday
Local time
10:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Sparta, TN
198 mi in
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bartlett, TN to Red Bank, TN covers 396.7 miles and takes about 7h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, I 40, Lamar Alexander Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 198.4 miles from Bartlett, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 396.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bartlett, TN and Red Bank, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Stones River National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
