Cowan, TN to Memphis, TN is 262.6 miles and takes about 5h 19m via East Market Street and US 64, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region towards the west. Expect a drive composed primarily of surface roads, making it a more scenic and potentially slower option than a pure interstate route. With just one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, it's a manageable one-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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
131.3 miles from Cowan, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m 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
Winchester Highway
16.8 mi
19m
I 40
13.3 mi
16m
David Crockett Highway
13.2 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
East Market Street
— 49.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cowan, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Tennessee Avenue North
10 ft·2 sec·Tennessee Avenue North
2
Turn right onto US 41A
1.8 mi·2 min·Cumberland Street East
3
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi·2 min·Cowan Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Merge onto US 64
3.6 mi·4 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
6
Continue on US 64
13 mi·14 min·David Crockett Highway
7
Continue on US 64
17 mi·19 min·Winchester Highway
8
Continue on US 64 Business
0.5 mi·48 sec·Mulberry Avenue
9
Continue on US 64 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·College Street East
10
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
0.2 mi·14 sec·Morgan Avenue North
11
Continue on US 64 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Washington Street West
12
Continue on US 64
31 mi·35 min·Pulaski Highway
13
Turn left onto US 64
0.7 mi·50 sec·West College Street
14
Continue on US 64
44 mi·50 min·Lawrenceburg Highway
15
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·56 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
16
Turn right onto US 64
31 mi·35 min·US 64
17
Turn slight left onto Hanna Boulevard
521 ft·17 sec·Hanna Boulevard
18
Turn right onto Water Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Water Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 64; SR 69
4.0 mi·6 min·Bridge Avenue
20
Continue on US 64; SR 22; SR 69
16 mi·23 min·US 64; SR 22; SR 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
334 ft·9 sec
22
Turn right onto US 64 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·Mulberry Avenue
23
Continue on US 64 Business
22 mi·26 min·West Cherry Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 64
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·East Market Street
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward Memphis
26
Merge onto I 40
7.0 mi·8 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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
28
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.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
31
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 19m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Cowan, TN in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Memphis before evening. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on surface roads where stations might be less frequent. Planning your fuel stops around the longest stretch of 49.1 miles on East Market Street could be a practical approach.
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 131.3 miles from Cowan, TN, or about 2h 32m 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.3 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 20m
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 Cowan, 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 Cowan, TN
This is one driving day of about 262.6 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cowan, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 241.8 and 262.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
241.8 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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
248.8 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
248.9 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
260 mi into trip|~5h 15m 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
262.1 mi into trip|~5h 18m 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
$38.78 one way
$77.56 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.81
$85.62
premium
$4.72
$48.76
$97.51
diesel
$4.80
$49.58
$99.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.57
$12.60
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$22.98
$10.50
EV Truck/SUV
105
1
$36.76
$16.81
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cowan, TN
Late night
in Cowan on Sunday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph3% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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
5h 19m 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?
This route features a highway share of 23%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 49.1 miles on East Market Street. Expect to transition from highway driving early on, with the majority of your miles spent navigating local roads and highways like US 64 and Lawrenceburg Highway through various Tennessee communities.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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?
8/10
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 241.8 miles in near I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 262.6 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 241.8 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.8 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
975 ft258 ft
Total Climb
343 ft
Total Descent
1,060 ft
Highest Point
975 ft
Elevation Range
717 ft
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 Cowan, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Not to be confused with Cowan in Victoria, in which is covered in the Phillip Island article
Cowan is a very small town in Tennessee. It has roughly 1,700 residents, and is located at the foot of the Cumberland Plateau between Chattanooga and Nashville. Cowan is oriented around the junction of Tennessee Highway 41 and the CSX railroad heading toward Decherd.
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 5h 19m. Total distance: 262.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m 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.
Yes — we found about 2 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 241.8 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.8 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.
