Spanning 304.5 miles across Tennessee, this cross-state journey from Collierville to Middle Valley takes approximately 6 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should plan for a full day on the road. Budget about $46 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. While the trip is manageable in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the path means it will require your full attention behind the wheel. It serves as a practical connection through the Southeast, trading high-speed efficiency for a more localized driving experience.
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
152.3 miles from Collierville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 72
124 mi
2h 29m
I 565
92.8 mi
1h 46m
I 24
26.2 mi
28m
Joe Wheeler Highway
20.2 mi
24m
US 27
14.6 mi
17m
US 72 Alternate
8.6 mi
12m
Wheeler Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 124 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collierville, TN and Middle Valley, TN.
1
Start on North Rowlett Street
321 ft·17 sec·North Rowlett Street
2
Turn left onto North Center Street
0.9 mi·2 min·North Center Street
3
Turn left onto US 72
23 mi·27 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto US 72
153 ft·1 sec·US 72
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
5
Continue on US 72
57 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 72
Toward US 72 East: CorinthUse the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 72
0.2 mi·17 sec·US 72
7
Continue on US 72
44 mi·52 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
8.4 mi·9 min·Wheeler Highway
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State ParkUse the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
20 mi·24 min·Joe Wheeler Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
8.6 mi·12 min·US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.8 mi·2 min·6th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.0 mi·3 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Toward HuntsvilleUse the left lane.
13
Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate
93 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I-24 East: Chattanooga
15
Merge onto I 24
26 mi·28 min·I 24
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
17
Continue on US 27
15 mi·17 min·US 27
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward Thrasher Pike
19
Turn right onto Thrasher Pike
2.3 mi·5 min·Thrasher Pike
20
Turn sharp left onto Middle Valley Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Middle Valley Road
21
Turn left onto Crabtree Road
101 ft·4 sec·Crabtree Road
22
Arrive at destination
Crabtree Road
Trip Plan
Since this 304.5-mile trek takes over six hours, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and navigate local traffic effectively. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous turns can be more draining than standard highway driving. Keep your fuel budget of $46 in mind and consider topping off your tank before you hit the more rural stretches of Wheeler Highway. Given the lack of high-speed highway segments, remain flexible with your arrival time, as local road conditions can fluctuate significantly. Prioritize comfort and frequent hydration to stay sharp throughout the duration of the trip.
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 152.3 miles from Collierville, TN, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124 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 67 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.3 miles or 3h 5m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middle Valley, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Collierville, 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 Collierville, TN
This is one driving day of about 304.5 miles and 6h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Collierville, 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 72 for about 124 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 23.5 and 303.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
23.5 mi into trip|~30m in|US 72
Enter roundabout onto US 72 toward US 72 East: Corinth
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
8
125 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
5
162.2 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
286.2 mi into trip|~5h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
5
303.9 mi into trip|~6h 7m in|Middle Valley Road
Turn sharp left onto Middle Valley Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.61 one way
$95.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$52.27
$104.54
premium
$4.89
$58.60
$117.20
diesel
$5.61
$67.23
$134.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.4
1
$31.97
$14.62
Efficient EV
76.1
0
$26.64
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.63
$19.49
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Collierville, TN
Night
in Collierville on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 15 mph89% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Middle Valley, TN
Night
in Middle Valley on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph10% 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
16 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 8m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging drive that prioritizes local roads over interstate cruising. Your route utilizes North Center Street, US 72 East, and Wheeler Highway, resulting in a 0% highway share. This is a turn-heavy local drive that demands constant focus, making it a stark contrast to the monotonous, straight-line experience of a typical highway commute. Because you are navigating non-interstate roads, you will experience the terrain more intimately as the landscape transitions across the region. Prepare for a road profile that favors winding connections and steady navigation rather than sustained high-speed travel.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124 mi on US 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and I 565. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.5 miles in near US 72.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 304.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 23.5 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 125 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): 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.
Between Collierville, TN and Middle Valley, TN, road signs point toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.
Decatur
125 mi in|~2h 32m|via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Joe Wheeler State Park
125 mi in|~2h 32m|via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Huntsville
164 mi in|~3h 22m|via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 8m. Total distance: 304.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124 miles on US 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Middle Valley, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.5 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 125 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Middle Valley, TN before the return drive.
