Dandridge, TN to Bartlett, TN is 407 miles and takes about 7h 30m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee, making for a straightforward drive. Given its highway-focused profile and single-day recommendation, this route is best suited for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll be on major roads for almost the entire journey, so expect a consistent pace. It's a solid option if you need to get from the eastern part of the state to the western side without much fuss.
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
203.5 miles from Dandridge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 30m. Total distance: 407 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your journey on major roads. Expect to spend most of your time on I 40, which forms the backbone of this trip for a significant longest stretch of 393.9 miles. This means you'll experience a consistent, high-speed environment for the bulk of the drive. While I 40 is the primary artery, you'll transition onto Stage Road and US 25W for brief segments, offering minor variations in the driving experience before you reach your destination. The profile suggests minimal time on slower, local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 393.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Stage Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51 miles in near I 40.
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 14 significant decision points across 407 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 51 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
51 mi into trip|~59m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
205.9 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
208 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
211.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
9
401.3 mi into trip|~7h 20m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dandridge, TN and Bartlett, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
51 mi in|~59m|via I 40
Memphis
208 mi in|~3h 49m|via I 40
Louisville
209.1 mi in|~3h 51m|via I 40
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
393.9 mi
7h 8m
Stage Road
5.6 mi
10m
US 25W
3.1 mi
4m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
West Meeting Street
0.6 mi
1m
Chestnut Hill Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
East Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 393.9 mi, about 7h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dandridge, TN and Bartlett, TN.
1
Start on East Main Street
74 ft·7 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn right onto SR 92
525 ft·16 sec·Chestnut Hill Road
3
Turn left onto US 25W; US 70; SR 92
0.6 mi·1 min·West Meeting Street
4
Turn left onto US 25W; US 70
3.1 mi·4 min·US 25W; US 70
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
47 mi·52 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
190 mi·3 hr 25 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / 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
Aim to depart from Dandridge early in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. With a recommended one-day drive, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. Plan for about two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch on I 40 is quite extensive, so be mindful of your fuel levels, especially as you approach the latter half of the drive where services might be less frequent. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, particularly as you get closer to the Memphis metropolitan area around Bartlett.
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 203.5 miles from Dandridge, TN, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 393.9 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 90 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.5 miles or 3h 43m 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 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 Dandridge, 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 Dandridge, TN
This is one driving day of about 407 miles and 7h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Dandridge, 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 I 40 for about 393.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 203.5 mi from Dandridge, TN
· 3h 43m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 196.5
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.1
1
$42.73
$19.54
Efficient EV
101.8
1
$35.61
$16.28
EV Truck/SUV
162.8
2
$56.98
$26.05
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Dandridge, TN
Late night
in Dandridge on Saturday
Local time
5:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bartlett, TN
Late night
in Bartlett on Saturday
Local time
4:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
11 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
7h 30m 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 Dandridge, TN to Bartlett, TN covers 407 miles and takes about 7h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Stage Road, US 25W. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 203.5 miles from Dandridge, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.63 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 14 significant decision points across 407 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 51 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dandridge, TN and Bartlett, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
