Spanning 303.8 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Altamont to Memphis typically takes about 5 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it without an overnight stop, though you will want to account for a fuel budget of approximately $46. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors like I-40, I-24, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Since both the start and end points are located within the Southeast region, the climate and road conditions remain relatively consistent throughout the trip. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that serves as a practical connection between these two points in the state. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this route offers a reliable path across the heart of Tennessee.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
151.9 miles from Altamont, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
178.1 mi
3h 14m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
I 24
53 mi
56m
Pelham Road
10 mi
17m
Elkhead Road
4.8 mi
8m
SR 50
2.7 mi
4m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Poplar Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altamont, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Cumberland Street
182 ft·10 sec·Cumberland Street
2
Turn right onto Pelham Road
195 ft·15 sec·Pelham Road
3
Turn left onto SR 56; SR 108
26 ft·2 sec·Main Street
4
Turn right onto SR 50; SR 108
9.9 mi·17 min·Pelham Road
5
Continue on SR 50
4.8 mi·8 min·Elkhead Road
6
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 50
2.7 mi·4 min·SR 50
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
8
Merge onto I 24
53 mi·56 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 40
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, your best bet is to plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5-hour and 43-minute duration. Departing early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the busiest interstate sections, ensuring a smoother transition between Altamont and Memphis. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $46 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current pump prices along the I-40 corridor. Because the drive is dominated by high-speed highway travel, ensure your tires and fluids are checked before you leave to handle the long, uninterrupted stretches. With the majority of the route being highway-based, the flexibility to adjust your pace is a major advantage, so do not feel pressured to rush the journey in one sitting.
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 151.9 miles from Altamont, TN, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.1 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 67 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.9 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
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 Altamont, 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 Altamont, TN
This is one driving day of about 303.8 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Altamont, 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 178.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 70.7 and 303.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
70.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
6
290 mi into trip|~5h 25m in|I 40
Take the exit onto I 40 toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10A-B
Toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississip...
8
290.1 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
6
301.2 mi into trip|~5h 39m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
303.3 mi into trip|~5h 42m 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
$47.50 one way
$94.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$52.15
$104.30
premium
$4.89
$58.46
$116.93
diesel
$5.61
$67.08
$134.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.1
1
$31.90
$14.58
Efficient EV
76
0
$26.58
$12.15
EV Truck/SUV
121.5
1
$42.53
$19.44
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 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 16, 2026
Origin
Altamont, TN
Late night
in Altamont on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph60% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
32 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
5h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient trip, as 95 percent of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend much of your time on expansive interstate stretches, including a significant 178.1-mile segment on I-40 that keeps your momentum steady. While the drive starts in the more elevated landscape near Altamont, the character of the road shifts toward the flatter, faster-paced interstates as you head west. The experience is defined by high-speed cruising rather than technical turns or winding backroads. Being behind the wheel here is largely about managing long stretches of pavement, so prepare for a consistent, interstate-focused rhythm for nearly the entire 303.8-mile duration.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 70.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 303.8 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 70.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,059 ft258 ft
Total Climb
449 ft
Total Descent
1,250 ft
Highest Point
1,059 ft
~21.7 mi in
Elevation Range
800 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Altamont, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 303.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
