Origin
Caryville, TN
Night in Caryville on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Caryville, TN to Memphis, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 29m
Distance
393.4 mi
633 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 19m
★
6 AM
7h 29m
8 AM
7h 50m
10 AM
7h 36m
12 PM
7h 34m
3 PM
7h 37m
5 PM
7h 49m
8 PM
7h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caryville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from Caryville, Tennessee, this 393.4-mile journey to Memphis, Tennessee, is a substantial drive best suited for a single day, estimated to take around 7 hours and 29 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 88% of the drive on major interstates, making it a direct path across the state. With an estimated fuel cost of $62, this drive offers a straightforward way to travel between the Southeast regions of Tennessee. You'll encounter two planned stops along the way, allowing for necessary breaks on this lengthy, but manageable, single-day excursion.
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
196.7 miles from Caryville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 347.2 mi | 6h 18m |
| Harriman Highway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Frost Bottom Road | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| Briceville Highway | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| North Roane Street | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Creek Street | 3.8 mi | 9m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Hannah Highway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 347.2 mi, about 6h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caryville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Mountain Road
173 ft
·
11 sec
·
Mountain Road
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
Main Street
3
Take the ramp onto SR 63
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
SR 63
4
Turn right
5.7 mi
·
6 min
Toward Knoxville
5
Take the exit onto I 75; US 25W
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 75; US 25W
Toward US 25W South: Rocky Top, Lake City
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75; US 25W
241 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 75; US 25W
7
Turn slight right onto US 25W; SR 116
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
8
Turn right onto SR 116
3.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Creek Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto SR 116
234 ft
·
7 sec
·
Briceville Highway
10
Continue on SR 116
5.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Briceville Highway
11
Continue on SR 330
166 ft
·
3 sec
·
Briceville Highway
12
Continue on SR 330
7.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Frost Bottom Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dutch Valley Road
14
Continue on SR 330
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Walden Avenue
15
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 330
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Spring Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Main Street
17
Continue on SR 330
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
18
Turn right onto SR 330
447 ft
·
11 sec
·
Winter Gap Road
19
Turn left onto SR 61
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Tri County Boulevard
20
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Harriman Highway
21
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Bitter Creek Highway
22
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Harriman Highway
23
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hannah Highway
24
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Roane Street
25
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
26
Merge onto I 40
134 mi
·
2 hr 24 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Use the slight left lane.
29
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi
·
3 hr 33 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit onto I 40
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 40
Exit 10A-B
Toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
11 mi
·
13 min
·
I 40
Exit 10B
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Use the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Use the slight right lane.
36
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft
·
4 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 29-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Caryville to allow ample time for your two stops and arrive in Memphis before evening. Given the 393.4-mile distance, breaking it into two stops spaced roughly three to four hours apart will help maintain energy levels. The longest stretch on I-40 is over 347 miles, so plan your fuel needs accordingly before entering longer sections of highway where services might be less frequent. The estimated $62 fuel cost is a good benchmark for budgeting, so ensure your tank is full before hitting the road.
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 196.7 miles from Caryville, TN, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 347.2 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 87 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.7 miles or 3h 53m 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 21m
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 Caryville, 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 Caryville, TN
This is one driving day of about 393.4 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Caryville, 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 347.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
197 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 196.7 miles from Caryville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 347.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 177.2 and 392.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
177.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
179.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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
7
182.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
8
379.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 11m 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
392.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 28m 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
$61.50 one way
$123.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
138 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $67.53 | $135.06 |
| premium | $4.89 | $75.71 | $151.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $86.86 | $173.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118 | 1 | $41.31 | $18.88 |
| Efficient EV | 98.4 | 1 | $34.42 | $15.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 157.4 | 1 | $55.08 | $25.18 |
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.
Destination
Memphis, TN
Night in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
197 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
26 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
7h 29m 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 162.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with a significant 88% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-40. Expect a consistent pace for much of the journey, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 347.2 miles on I-40. While Harriman Highway and Frost Bottom Road offer slight variations, the overall character is one of efficient travel. The road's personality leans towards a steady interstate experience, designed for covering distance rather than frequent scenic detours.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 347.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 177.2 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 393.4 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 177.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.7 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.
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 Caryville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
180.4 mi in
|
~3h 35m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Arriving in Memphis, TN
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 393.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 347.2 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 177.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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