Origin
Collierville, TN
Afternoon in Collierville on Sunday
Local time
3:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Collierville, TN to East Brainerd, TN
Drive Time
6h 1m
Distance
298.3 mi
480 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 49m
★
6 AM
6h 1m
8 AM
6h 27m
10 AM
6h 11m
12 PM
6h 8m
3 PM
6h 12m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Collierville, TN
Kelly
East Brainerd, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 298.3 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Collierville to East Brainerd typically takes about 6 hours and 1 minute. You will primarily navigate via US 72, I-565, and I-24, making this an efficient, highway-focused journey. Because the total duration is manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $45 on fuel for the trek. Both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Southeast, ensuring a consistent regional atmosphere as you traverse the state.
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
149.2 miles from Collierville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 87% of your travel occurring on highways, you can expect a steady, consistent pace throughout the journey. The route features a significant 124-mile stretch along US 72, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. While the path prioritizes speed and efficiency, the transition between US 72 and the interstate system keeps the experience from feeling purely monotonous. You will find that the road maintains a professional, highway-heavy personality that favors getting you to East Brainerd with minimal fuss. Be prepared for a focused drive that emphasizes miles covered over winding, technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 124 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.5 miles in near US 72.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 298.3 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 23.5 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 125 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
23.5 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
US 72
Enter roundabout onto US 72 toward US 72 East: Corinth
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
8
125 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
5
162.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
293 mi into trip
|
~5h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
7
295.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 54m in
Take the exit toward SR 320 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward SR 320 East
Towns Along This Route
Between Collierville, TN and East Brainerd, TN, road signs point toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.
Decatur
125 mi in
|
~2h 32m
|
via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Joe Wheeler State Park
125 mi in
|
~2h 32m
|
via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Huntsville
164 mi in
|
~3h 22m
|
via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 72 | 124 mi | 2h 29m |
| I 565 | 92.8 mi | 1h 46m |
| I 24 | 33.1 mi | 38m |
| Joe Wheeler Highway | 20.2 mi | 24m |
| US 72 Alternate | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| Wheeler Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Huntsville-Decatur Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| East Brainerd Road | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 124 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collierville, TN and East Brainerd, TN.
1
Start on North Rowlett Street
321 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Rowlett Street
2
Turn left onto North Center Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Center Street
3
Turn left onto US 72
23 mi
·
27 min
·
US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto US 72
153 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 72
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
5
Continue on US 72
57 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 72
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 72
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 72
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 72
44 mi
·
52 min
·
US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Wheeler Highway
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Joe Wheeler Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Toward Huntsville
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate
93 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I-24 East: Chattanooga
15
Merge onto I 24
33 mi
·
38 min
·
I 24
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 75
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 3A
Toward SR 320 East
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto SR 320
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Brainerd Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto Graysville Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Graysville Road
21
Turn right onto Iris Drive
479 ft
·
21 sec
·
Iris Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Iris Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the long stretches of highway. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid traffic congestion and ensure you arrive in East Brainerd before the day is out. Since you are budgeting $45 for fuel, keep an eye on your gauge during that 124-mile stretch on US 72, as refueling options can be more spread out there compared to the busier interstate sections. Flexibility is a major advantage here; since the entire trip fits into a single day, you have the freedom to adjust your departure time based on your personal preferences for road conditions.
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 149.2 miles from Collierville, TN, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.2 miles or 3h 1m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Brainerd, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Collierville, 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 Collierville, TN
This is one driving day of about 298.3 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Collierville, 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 US 72 for about 124 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.2 mi from Collierville, TN · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 149.2 miles from Collierville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124 miles.
Arriving in East Brainerd, TN
The final approach into East Brainerd, 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 East Brainerd, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.31 one way
$90.62 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.95 | $99.90 |
| premium | $4.80 | $56.31 | $112.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.27 | $132.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.5 | 1 | $31.32 | $14.32 |
| Efficient EV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.10 | $11.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.3 | 1 | $41.76 | $19.09 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Destination
East Brainerd, TN
Afternoon in East Brainerd on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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
6h 1m 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 Collierville, TN to East Brainerd, TN covers 298.3 miles and takes about 6h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 72, I 565, I 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 149.2 miles from Collierville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.31 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 1 meaningful break 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 14 significant decision points across 298.3 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 23.5 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 125 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Collierville, TN and East Brainerd, TN, road signs point toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.
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