Dayton, TN to Collierville, TN is 325.5 miles and takes about 6h 29m via US 72, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. This route is best suited for those prioritizing direct travel over extensive sightseeing.
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
162.8 miles from Dayton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 72
92.1 mi
1h 50m
John T Reid Parkway
71.9 mi
1h 22m
US 72 Alternate
59.6 mi
1h 14m
US 27
38.4 mi
45m
I 24
26.4 mi
29m
North Cedar Avenue
17.8 mi
20m
Highway 72
9.5 mi
12m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 92.1 mi, about 1h 50m
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 Dayton, TN and Collierville, TN.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue
156 ft·10 sec·2nd Avenue
2
Turn right onto SR 378
343 ft·13 sec·Market Street
3
Turn right onto SR 30
0.2 mi·21 sec·3rd Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 27
38 mi·45 min·US 27
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·42 sec
Toward 24: Nashville, BirminghamUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 24
26 mi·29 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 152AToward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
8
Continue on US 72
18 mi·20 min·North Cedar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 72
0.8 mi·56 sec·Lee Highway
10
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi·2 min·John T Reid Parkway
11
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi·2 min·Lee Highway
12
Continue on US 72
70 mi·1 hr 20 min·John T Reid Parkway
13
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.5 mi·4 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.6 mi·2 min·Bee Line Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
60 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 72
22 mi·26 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 72
1.5 mi·1 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 72
9.5 mi·12 min·Highway 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 72
1.4 mi·2 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 72
44 mi·52 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto US 72
155 ft·1 sec·US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
22
Continue on US 72
13 mi·15 min·US 72
Toward US 72 West: MemphisUse the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72
8.9 mi·11 min·US 72
Toward Collierville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 72
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 72
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto South Center Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Center Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto East South Street
432 ft·17 sec·East South Street
27
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·South Main Street
28
Turn left onto North Rowlett Street
71 ft·3 sec·North Rowlett Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Rowlett Street
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight, aim for an early morning departure from Dayton, TN. With a total drive time of under 7 hours, this route is comfortably achievable in one day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 92.1-mile stretch on US 72, as service areas might be less frequent. The single recommended stop suggests planning for a brief break midway to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Since you have flexibility, you can adjust your pace based on traffic and your energy levels.
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 162.8 miles from Dayton, TN, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.1 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 72 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.8 miles or 3h 8m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Collierville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dayton, 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 Dayton, TN
This is one driving day of about 325.5 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Dayton, 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 92.1 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 0.1 and 315.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 30 / 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto SR 30 / 3rd Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
38.7 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
6
163.4 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
302 mi into trip|~5h 59m in|US 72
Enter roundabout onto US 72 toward US 72 West: Memphis
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
8
315.6 mi into trip|~6h 14m in|US 72
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 toward Collierville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Collierville, Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.07 one way
$96.14 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$53.07
$106.13
premium
$4.72
$60.44
$120.87
diesel
$4.80
$61.46
$122.92
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: 113.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.7
1
$34.18
$15.62
Efficient EV
81.4
0
$28.48
$13.02
EV Truck/SUV
130.2
1
$45.57
$20.83
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Dayton, TN
Morning
in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 0 to 5 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Collierville, TN
Morning
in Collierville on Sunday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WNW 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
90°F
Madison, AL
163 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
5 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 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly on highways, with 91% of the drive utilizing them. You'll encounter a long stretch of 92.1 miles on US 72, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely be noticeable as you approach your destination. Expect a relatively continuous flow of traffic and exits along the main sections of the route.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.1 mi on US 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and John T Reid Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 30 / 3rd Avenue.
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 325.5 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 0.1 miles (SR 30 / 3rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 38.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.4 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
830 ft383 ft
Total Climb
270 ft
Total Descent
586 ft
Highest Point
830 ft
~46.5 mi in
Elevation Range
447 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dayton, TN and Collierville, TN, road signs point toward 24: Nashville and Birmingham.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 29m. Total distance: 325.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.1 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 Collierville, 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 0.1 miles (SR 30 / 3rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 38.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.4 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Collierville, TN before the return drive.
