Alcoa, TN to Memphis, TN is 394.3 miles and takes about 7h 17m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from its eastern mountains to the Mississippi River. Expect a straightforward, mostly highway experience that makes for a convenient, single-day trip. It's a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points.
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
197.1 miles from Alcoa, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
374.8 mi
6h 48m
Pellissippi Parkway
11.3 mi
13m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
North Wright Road
2.1 mi
5m
Alcoa Highway
1.1 mi
1m
East Edison Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Springbrook Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 374.8 mi, about 6h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alcoa, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Springbrook Road
23 ft·1 sec·Springbrook Road
2
Continue on Springbrook Road
79 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Springbrook Road
94 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
4
Turn left onto Springbrook Road
115 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
5
Continue on East Edison Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Edison Street
6
Turn left onto North Wright Road
2.1 mi·5 min·North Wright Road
7
Take the ramp
263 ft·8 sec
8
Merge onto US 129; TN 115
1.1 mi·1 min·Alcoa Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 140 North
10
Merge onto I 140
11 mi·13 min·Pellissippi Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South: Nashville, Chattanooga
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 40; I 75
7.2 mi·8 min·I 40; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi·3 hr 33 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto I 40
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 40
Exit 10A-BToward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
11 mi·13 min·I 40
Exit 10BToward I 40 West: Little RockUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. With only 2 recommended stops, you can be strategic about when and where you pull over for breaks. The fuel cost is estimated at $62, so factor that into your budget. Since the longest stretch on I 40 is substantial at 374.8 miles, plan at least one significant stop midway. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Pellissippi Parkway onto I 40 as your primary highway.
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 197.1 miles from Alcoa, TN, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 374.8 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 87 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.1 miles or 3h 40m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Memphis, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alcoa, 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 Alcoa, TN
This is one driving day of about 394.3 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Alcoa, 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 374.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.3 and 393.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
23.3 mi into trip|~31m 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
178.1 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
180.3 mi into trip|~3h 21m 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
8
380.6 mi into trip|~6h 59m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10B
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
8
393.8 mi into trip|~7h 16m in
Take the exit toward Second Street, Third Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.77 one way
$131.55 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$71.77
$143.53
premium
$5.25
$81.55
$163.09
diesel
$6.28
$97.43
$194.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.3
1
$41.40
$18.93
Efficient EV
98.6
1
$34.50
$15.77
EV Truck/SUV
157.7
1
$55.20
$25.24
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Alcoa, TN
Afternoon
in Alcoa on Thursday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in Memphis on Thursday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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 17m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 163.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with a 98% highway share. You'll be on I 40 for the vast majority of the trip, including a continuous stretch of 374.8 miles. The Pellissippi Parkway and Downtown Loop account for the minimal non-highway portions. Expect to encounter frequent exits and entrances along I 40 for much of the drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 374.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Pellissippi Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 394.3 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 23.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,960 ft258 ft
Total Climb
1,306 ft
Total Descent
1,889 ft
Highest Point
1,960 ft
~84.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,702 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alcoa, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.
Memphis is the second largest city in the state of Tennessee, after Nashville. The state rests in the southeastern portion of the United States. Memphis, with a population of more than 651,000 (2019), is also the county seat for Shelby County. The city's claims to fame include Graceland, the mansion Elvis Presley lived in during his later years. Perhaps more importantly, Memphis is considered by many to be the home of blues music.
Top landmarks
•Graceland — mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, United States; former residence of Elvis Presley
•Blues Hall of Fame — award by Blues Foundation, since 2015 also a music museum in Memphis, Tennessee
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 17m. Total distance: 394.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 374.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 39 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Memphis, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Memphis, TN before the return drive.
