Traveling from Ardmore to Memphis covers 213.7 miles across the Tennessee landscape, typically taking about 4 hours and 27 minutes of drive time. This mixed-drive route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $32 for fuel to complete the journey. You will navigate primarily via US 64, East Market Street, and Lawrenceburg Highway as you traverse the Southeast region. Whether you are heading west for business or leisure, this straightforward connection between the two points offers a practical transit option for your schedule.
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
106.9 miles from Ardmore, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
52.2 mi
1h 5m
East Market Street
49.1 mi
1h 2m
Lawrenceburg Highway
44.4 mi
50m
West Cherry Avenue
22.4 mi
26m
US 31
14.6 mi
21m
I 40
13.3 mi
16m
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
7 mi
8m
Bridge Avenue
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 52.2 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ardmore, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on TN 7
1.9 mi·3 min·Main Street
2
Continue on TN 7
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Highway 7
3
Continue on US 31
15 mi·21 min·US 31
4
Turn left onto US 64
4.8 mi·5 min·US 64
5
Turn left onto US 64
0.7 mi·50 sec·West College Street
6
Continue on US 64
44 mi·50 min·Lawrenceburg Highway
7
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·56 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
8
Turn right onto US 64
31 mi·35 min·US 64
9
Turn slight left onto Hanna Boulevard
521 ft·17 sec·Hanna Boulevard
10
Turn right onto Water Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Water Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 64; SR 69
4.0 mi·6 min·Bridge Avenue
12
Continue on US 64; SR 22; SR 69
16 mi·23 min·US 64; SR 22; SR 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
334 ft·9 sec
14
Turn right onto US 64 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·Mulberry Avenue
15
Continue on US 64 Business
22 mi·26 min·West Cherry Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 64
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·East Market Street
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward Memphis
18
Merge onto I 40
7.0 mi·8 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under five hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though leaving early helps avoid potential traffic as you approach Memphis. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs and refresh, as this will help break up the 213.7-mile journey effectively. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off US 64, to ensure you stay within your $32 budget. Because this is a mixed-road trip, pay special attention to your pacing when moving from the highway onto local roads like East Market Street. This one-day itinerary is straightforward, so focus on staying hydrated and alert to make the most of your time on the road.
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 106.9 miles from Ardmore, TN, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.2 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.9 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
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 Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, TN
This is one driving day of about 213.7 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Ardmore, 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 US 64 for about 52.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 192.9 and 213.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
192.9 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
199.9 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
200 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
211.2 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
213.3 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
$33.41 one way
$66.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.68
$73.36
premium
$4.89
$41.12
$82.25
diesel
$5.61
$47.18
$94.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.1
0
$22.44
$10.26
Efficient EV
53.4
0
$18.70
$8.55
EV Truck/SUV
85.5
1
$29.92
$13.68
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Ardmore, TN
Late night
in Ardmore on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSW 15 mph22% chanceLive forecast
77°F
Adamsville, TN
107 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 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
4h 27m 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?
This trip features a varied driving experience, with roughly 38% of your time spent on highways. You will encounter a mix of road types, transitioning between local streets and more open stretches that keep the drive from feeling monotonous. The longest single push you will face is a 52.2-mile stretch along US 64, which provides a steady rhythm for your cruise. Because the route balances faster highway segments with slower local road sections, you should remain attentive to changing speed limits throughout the journey. It is a functional drive that requires your full focus as the road character shifts between rural and town settings.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.2 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 192.9 miles in near I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 213.7 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 192.9 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.9 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Ardmore, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock 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.
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
•National Civil Rights Museum — hotel that was site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., now a museum
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 213.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.2 miles on US 64. 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 192.9 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.9 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Memphis, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
