Origin
Nashville, TN
Afternoon in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
2:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nashville, TN to Brentwood, TN
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
173 mi
278 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Nashville, TN
MINEIA MARTINS
Brentwood, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 173 miles, this trek from Nashville to Brentwood is a straightforward highway-focused drive that typically takes about 3 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Because the entire journey remains within the Southeast region of Tennessee, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating primarily via I-40, I-24, and North Cedar Bluff Road, you will find the route efficient and predictable. It is an ideal choice for travelers looking to move between these two Tennessee cities with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.5 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by interstate travel, as 97% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on highways. The road maintains a consistent, fast-paced personality, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 86.1 miles on I-40. While the transition between these major corridors keeps the drive moving steadily, the experience is largely a functional interstate grind. You will spend the vast majority of your journey focused on maintaining speed and navigating major junctions. This route prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads, making it a predictable experience for any driver.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 86.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
James Robertson Parkway
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Interstate Drive
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 24 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 24 East
9
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 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 lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 86.1 mi | 1h 34m |
| I 24 | 80.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| North Cedar Bluff Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Chert Pit Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Middlebrook Pike | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Brentwood, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
451 ft
·
9 sec
·
Interstate Drive
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 24 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 24
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
81 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 24
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 40
86 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 378
Toward Cedar Bluff Road
10
Turn left onto North Cedar Bluff Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Cedar Bluff Road
Use the left / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto SR 169
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Middlebrook Pike
12
Turn left onto Chert Pit Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Chert Pit Road
13
Continue on Andes Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Andes Road
14
Arrive at destination
Andes Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3-hour and 16-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule. Plan for one designated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, which will help break up the monotony of the highway sections. Because the drive is heavily reliant on I-40 and I-24, keep a close eye on real-time traffic reports before you leave, as these major arteries are prone to congestion. Given that your fuel costs will hover around $26, filling up before you hit the highway can help you avoid higher prices at busy interstate service centers. Use that single stop strategically to ensure you arrive at your destination feeling energized rather than drained by the long stretches of interstate driving.
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 86.5 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.5 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brentwood, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN
This is one driving day of about 173 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Nashville, 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 86.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.5 mi from Nashville, TN · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 86.5 miles from Nashville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.1 miles.
Arriving in Brentwood, TN
The final approach into Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.28 one way
$52.55 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.97 | $57.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $32.66 | $65.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.43 | $76.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.17 | $8.30 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.14 | $6.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.22 | $11.07 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Brentwood, TN
Afternoon in Brentwood on Sunday
Local time
3:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
87 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
3 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
3h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Nashville, TN to Brentwood, TN covers 173 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 24, North Cedar Bluff Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.5 miles from Nashville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Nashville, TN to Brentwood, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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