Notts scored 415 runs for 13 wickets in a full day of batting against Essex at Chelmsford punctuated by pleasing knocks from Paul Franks (69), Alex Hales (61) and Ali Brown (51).
"It was a green wicket and batting was hard work at times but I would have liked to have seen our top order scoring more runs with the new ball," said Notts Director of Cricket Mick Newell.
"Paul Franks played well and underlined his position as a very useful allrounder."
Notts will spend Wednesday in the field.