If you are planning a trip from Brighton to Memphis, expect a journey covering 237.6 miles that typically takes about 4 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited as a single-day excursion rather than an overnight commitment. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to cover the distance across Tennessee. While the route remains within the Southeast, the navigation requires your full attention due to the mix of local roads and highways. This trip is manageable for those who prefer an active driving experience over long, straight interstate stretches. By keeping your pace steady, you can easily reach your destination by the end of the day.
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
118.8 miles from Brighton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Market Street
49.1 mi
1h 2m
US 64
47.4 mi
59m
Lawrenceburg Highway
44.4 mi
50m
Pulaski Highway
31 mi
35m
West Cherry Avenue
22.4 mi
26m
I 40
13.3 mi
16m
Winchester Highway
10.4 mi
12m
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
East Market Street
— 49.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Howell Hill Road
1.4 mi·3 min·Howell Hill Road
2
Turn left onto SR 275
0.5 mi·54 sec·Flintville Road
3
Turn left onto US 64
10 mi·12 min·Winchester Highway
4
Continue on US 64 Business
0.5 mi·48 sec·Mulberry Avenue
5
Continue on US 64 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·College Street East
6
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
0.2 mi·14 sec·Morgan Avenue North
7
Continue on US 64 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Washington Street West
8
Continue on US 64
31 mi·35 min·Pulaski Highway
9
Turn left onto US 64
0.7 mi·50 sec·West College Street
10
Continue on US 64
44 mi·50 min·Lawrenceburg Highway
11
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·56 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
12
Turn right onto US 64
31 mi·35 min·US 64
13
Turn slight left onto Hanna Boulevard
521 ft·17 sec·Hanna Boulevard
14
Turn right onto Water Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Water Street
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 64; SR 69
4.0 mi·6 min·Bridge Avenue
16
Continue on US 64; SR 22; SR 69
16 mi·23 min·US 64; SR 22; SR 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
334 ft·9 sec
18
Turn right onto US 64 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·Mulberry Avenue
19
Continue on US 64 Business
22 mi·26 min·West Cherry Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 64
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·East Market Street
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward Memphis
22
Merge onto I 40
7.0 mi·8 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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
24
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.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route, plan to leave early in the day to ensure you have plenty of daylight for navigating the local roads. With only one recommended stop over the 237.6-mile distance, you have significant flexibility to pace your driving based on your comfort level. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $36 estimated cost may fluctuate depending on your vehicle's specific efficiency on slower, winding roads. Given the technical nature of the drive, prioritize consistency over speed to handle the frequent turns safely. A helpful tip for this route is to map out your primary turns on East Market Street and Lawrenceburg Highway well in advance, as the high frequency of turns can make navigation tricky without clear, pre-planned directions.
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 118.8 miles from Brighton, TN, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.8 miles or 2h 19m 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 58m
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 Brighton, 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 Brighton, TN
This is one driving day of about 237.6 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Brighton, 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 East Market Street for about 49.1 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 216.7 and 237.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
216.7 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
223.7 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
223.9 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
235 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
237.1 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
$37.15 one way
$74.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.78
$81.57
premium
$4.89
$45.72
$91.45
diesel
$5.61
$52.46
$104.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.3
0
$24.95
$11.40
Efficient EV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
EV Truck/SUV
95
1
$33.26
$15.21
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Brighton, TN
Morning
in Brighton on Sunday
Local time
8:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Morning
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
8:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
25 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 51m 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 winding experience as you navigate this route, which is defined by its turn-heavy local character rather than long stretches of open highway. Only 26% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of the 4-hour and 51-minute drive on secondary roads. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 49.1-mile stretch on East Market Street, which serves as the primary backbone of the trip before you transition onto US 64 and Lawrenceburg Highway. Because the road demands frequent maneuvering, you will find it requires more focus than a standard interstate commute. Prepare for a dynamic drive where the road conditions shift frequently as you move through different local intersections.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on East Market Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 216.7 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 14 significant decision points across 237.6 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 216.7 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.7 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.9 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 Brighton, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 237.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on East Market Street. 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 216.7 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.7 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Memphis, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
