Crossing Tennessee from Cleveland to Memphis spans 369.1 miles and requires approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on local roads rather than interstates, it functions best as a dedicated day trip. You should budget roughly $55 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast cities. While the trip is manageable in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the route means you will need to stay alert behind the wheel. Given the duration and local road focus, consider whether you prefer a long day of driving or an overnight stop to break up the journey. This trek offers a direct, practical way to traverse the state while avoiding the typical interstate grind.
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
184.5 miles from Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
178.1 mi
3h 14m
I 24
111.9 mi
2h 6m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
South Lee Highway
2.4 mi
3m
US 74
1.3 mi
1m
Lee Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
3rd Street Southwest
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,974 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,367
Quietest
2 AM
~348 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 64
68 ft·9 sec·Inman Street West
2
Turn left onto US 64; US 11 Business
0.1 mi·18 sec·Broad Street Southwest
3
Turn right onto US 64; US 11 Business
0.2 mi·23 sec·3rd Street Southwest
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 64; US 11 Business
0.3 mi·35 sec·Lee Highway
5
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.4 mi·3 min·South Lee Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
7
Merge onto US 74
1.3 mi·1 min·US 74
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 24
112 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 40
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning for this 5-hour and 28-minute drive requires careful attention to your route navigation, as you will be relying on local roads rather than major interstates. Since you only have one designated stop planned, ensure you have your supplies and fuel ready before departing, keeping that $55 budget in mind. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue, especially since the turn-heavy nature of the drive demands your full attention. Because the route is composed entirely of local roads, stay mindful of changing speed limits and traffic patterns. Use your single stop strategically to stretch your legs and reset, as the constant turning can be more taxing than a straight highway haul.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.5 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 3h 31m 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 81 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.5 miles or 3h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 46m
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 Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, TN
This is one driving day of about 368.9 miles and 6h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Cleveland, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 368.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest
Turn right onto US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
23.3 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
135.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m 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
8
355.3 mi into trip|~6h 36m 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
368.5 mi into trip|~6h 52m 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
$54.48 one way
$108.96 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$60.14
$120.28
premium
$4.72
$68.49
$136.99
diesel
$4.80
$69.66
$139.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.7
1
$38.73
$17.71
Efficient EV
92.2
1
$32.28
$14.76
EV Truck/SUV
147.6
1
$51.65
$23.61
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Cleveland, TN
Late night
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph1% 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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
6h 53m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 139.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a significantly different experience than a standard highway cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate a sequence of local roads, starting with Broad Street Southwest, 3rd Street Southwest, and Lee Highway. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on any single road is 0 miles on Broad Street Southwest, your focus will remain constantly engaged by frequent turns. This is a technical, turn-heavy drive that prioritizes local connectivity over high-speed transit. You will feel every bit of the 369.1-mile distance as you navigate the winding, localized path across the state.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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 I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest.
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 18 significant decision points across 368.9 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 0.2 miles (US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,324 ft258 ft
Total Climb
946 ft
Total Descent
1,547 ft
Highest Point
1,324 ft
~79.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,066 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cleveland, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Franklin.
Cleveland is the county seat of Bradley County, Tennessee. As of 2020, the population was 45,902. Just like in other areas of the South, Native Americans such as the Cherokees were forced to cede their tribal homelands and move west in what was termed "The Trail Of Tears", in which many died. Cleveland was an exhibition in all this in that not only was it the site of the diminishing Cherokee's council at a place called Charleston and then Red Clay nearby, but it also was where federal troops imprisoned tribal members in stockades for forced removal by the time the crafty Treaty of New Echota passed in 1835. These things are represented at the Museum Center At Five Points and Red Clay State Park.
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 6h 53m. Total distance: 368.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 53m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Yes — we found about 37 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 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.
