Road Trips from Memphis, TN
Memphis offers a range of driving options, from quick jaunts to longer excursions across the state. You've got a few parks less than an hour away for a day trip, plus several destinations that make for a solid weekend drive. The terrain generally stays flat or gently rolling, making for comfortable cruising, and most routes have a good drive score. If you're looking for a brief escape or planning a multi-day adventure, there's a route to fit.
Total Routes
38
Shortest
0.4h
With Parks Nearby
37
Under 2 hours
Elmore Park, TN
23m14.7 mi one way
This is the shortest drive at just 14.7 miles and 0.4 hours, perfect for a quick getaway. It features mixed highway and surface roads with a drive score of 8, and the terrain is mostly flat. It’s a good option if you want to get out of the city fast.
Williams Chapel, TN
29m20.6 mi one way
At 20.6 miles and 0.5 hours, this route uses mostly surface roads and offers a drive score of 6. The terrain is mostly flat, making it an easy drive. It's another close option for a short trip out of Memphis.
Weekend trip
31 total in this range
Benton, TN
7h 10m382.1 mi one way
This 382.1-mile route takes about 7.2 hours and is mostly highway, with a drive score of 8. The terrain is gently rolling. It includes Stones River National Battlefield as a nearby park, making it a good choice for a longer drive with historical interest.
Decherd, TN
5h 16m259.7 mi one way
Covering 259.7 miles and taking 5.3 hours, this drive is primarily on highways with a drive score of 8. The terrain is gently rolling. It's a mid-range option for a longer day trip or a quick overnight.
Pigeon Forge, TN
7h 48m421.9 mi one way
This is one of the longer drives at 421.9 miles, requiring 7.8 hours, mostly on highways with a drive score of 8. The terrain is gently rolling. It offers access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Stones River National Battlefield, ideal for a weekend focused on nature and history.
Knoxville, TN
7h 9m391.2 mi one way
This 391.2-mile trip takes 7.2 hours, predominantly on highways with a drive score of 8. The terrain is gently rolling. It's a solid choice for reaching East Tennessee, with Stones River National Battlefield accessible along the way.
Plainview, TN
4h 37m249.1 mi one way
A 249.1-mile journey that takes 4.6 hours, this route sticks mostly to highways and has a drive score of 8. The terrain is mostly flat. It's a convenient option for reaching Rutherford County with Stones River National Battlefield nearby.
Long-haul ideas
Morristown, TN
8h431.4 mi one way
This 431.4-mile drive takes 8 hours, mostly on highways with a drive score of 8. The terrain is gently rolling. It's recommended for an overnight stay and offers access to Stones River National Battlefield.
Banner Hill, TN
9h 14m492.1 mi one way
At 492.1 miles and 9.2 hours, this is one of the longer routes, primarily highway with a drive score of 8. The terrain is gently rolling. It's recommended for an overnight and provides access to Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Tazewell, TN
8h 16m435.2 mi one way
This 435.2-mile drive takes 8.3 hours, mostly on highways with a drive score of 8. The terrain is gently rolling. It's recommended for an overnight and offers access to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Stones River National Battlefield.
Jonesborough, TN
8h 55m483.1 mi one way
A 483.1-mile drive lasting 8.9 hours, this route is mostly highway with a drive score of 8. The terrain is gently rolling. It's recommended for an overnight and includes Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in its vicinity.
Kingsport, TN
8h 58m487.5 mi one way
This 487.5-mile drive takes 9 hours, mostly on highways with a drive score of 7. The terrain is gently rolling. It's recommended for an overnight and includes Stones River National Battlefield as a nearby park.
Browse by Mood
Benton, TN
7h 10m382.1 mi one way
Decherd, TN
5h 16m259.7 mi one way
Pigeon Forge, TN
7h 48m421.9 mi one way
Knoxville, TN
7h 9m391.2 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
The gently rolling terrain and nearby parks like Stones River National Battlefield make spring drives pleasant for exploring.
Summer
Longer highway drives to destinations like Pigeon Forge and Banner Hill are feasible, with access to national parks.
Fall
Scenic drives with gently rolling terrain and parks like Great Smoky Mountains National Park are ideal for fall colors.
Winter
While most routes are highway-focused, shorter drives with flat terrain offer accessible escapes.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Memphis, TN city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.