This 205.8-mile drive from Belle Meade, TN to Memphis, TN is a straightforward journey that can easily be accomplished in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 96% of the drive on major roads like I-40. You can expect a fuel cost of around $32 for this trip. Given its manageable length and highway-centric profile, it's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both locations are within the Southeast region, so you won't be crossing any major regional boundaries on this Tennessee to Tennessee drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
102.9 miles from Belle Meade, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
198.5 mi
3h 36m
Memphis-Bristol Highway
3.8 mi
6m
Harding Pike
1.9 mi
3m
Harding Place
1 mi
2m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Poplar Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 198.5 mi, about 3h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belle Meade, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Harding Place
0.2 mi·33 sec·Harding Place
2
Continue on Harding Place
0.7 mi·1 min·Harding Place
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 70S
0.2 mi·22 sec·Harding Pike
Use the left lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70S
1.7 mi·3 min·Harding Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 70S
3.8 mi·6 min·Memphis-Bristol Highway
6
Turn left
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
7
Merge onto I 40
185 mi·3 hr 20 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 4 hours, this drive offers plenty of flexibility. Leaving Belle Meade in the morning will get you to Memphis with ample time to explore. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is nearly 200 miles on I-40, so plan for at least one fuel or rest stop within that segment. Given the $32 estimated fuel cost, it's wise to start with a full tank. As you near Memphis, be aware of potential increases in traffic volume, especially if you're arriving during peak commuting hours.
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 102.9 miles from Belle Meade, TN, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.5 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 miles or 1h 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 3h 7m
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 Belle Meade, 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 Belle Meade, TN
This is one driving day of about 205.8 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Belle Meade, 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 198.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 205.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|US 70S / Harding Pike
At end of road, turn left onto US 70S / Harding Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|US 70S / Harding Pike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70S / Harding Pike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
192 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
192.1 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
205.3 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
$32.17 one way
$64.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.33
$70.65
premium
$4.89
$39.60
$79.21
diesel
$5.61
$45.44
$90.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 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
61.7
0
$21.61
$9.88
Efficient EV
51.5
0
$18.01
$8.23
EV Truck/SUV
82.3
1
$28.81
$13.17
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 20, 2026
Origin
Belle Meade, TN
Morning
in Belle Meade on Tuesday
Local time
7:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Morning
in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
7:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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
3h 50m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with nearly the entire 205.8 miles spent on major thoroughfares. You'll be on I-40 for the majority of your journey, offering a consistent driving pace for a significant stretch. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is a substantial 198.5 miles on I-40. While the route is largely defined by its highway nature, keep an eye out for transitions as you approach your destination in Memphis, where the road character will naturally shift from open highway to more urban conditions.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Memphis-Bristol Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 70S / Harding Pike.
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 10 significant decision points across 205.8 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 1 miles (US 70S / Harding Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 70S / Harding Pike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Belle Meade, 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 3h 50m. Total distance: 205.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.5 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 1 miles (US 70S / Harding Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 70S / Harding Pike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Memphis, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
