Embark on a 348.9-mile journey from Dayton to Memphis, Tennessee, a drive that typically takes around 6 hours and 43 minutes. This highway-focused route is best tackled in a single day, making it a convenient option for a one-day road trip. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is approximately $55. You'll primarily navigate I-40 and US-27, with a significant 83% of the drive on highways. This route offers a straightforward path across Tennessee, connecting two points within the Southeast region without significant geographical changes.
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
174.4 miles from Dayton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
178.1 mi
3h 14m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
US 27
15.8 mi
18m
John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi
18m
TN 8
12.6 mi
17m
Harrison Ferry Road
12.3 mi
17m
SR 111
11.5 mi
13m
Nashville Highway
10.2 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, TN and Memphis, 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
16 mi·18 min·US 27
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto TN 111
5.4 mi·6 min·TN 111
7
Continue on SR 111
11 mi·13 min·SR 111
8
Continue on TN 8; TN 111
13 mi·17 min·TN 8; TN 111
9
Turn left onto TN 8
7.3 mi·9 min·State Highway 8
10
Continue on TN 8
12 mi·17 min·Harrison Ferry Road
11
Turn slight right onto SR 56
1.3 mi·1 min·Beersheba Highway
12
Continue on SR 56
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Colville Street
13
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi·20 sec·South Chancery Street
14
Turn left onto SR 380
0.3 mi·26 sec·West Morford Street
15
Continue on SR 380
2.1 mi·3 min·West Main Street
16
Continue on US 70S
10 mi·11 min·Nashville Highway
17
Continue on US 70S
8.1 mi·10 min·McMinnville Highway
18
Continue on US 70S; SR 53
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
19
Continue on US 70S
16 mi·18 min·John Bragg Highway
20
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi·5 min·South Rutherford Boulevard
21
Turn left onto US 231
0.3 mi·22 sec·South Church Street
Use the left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 24 West: NashvilleUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 24
6.5 mi·6 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
25
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 40
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 40
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
This 6-hour, 43-minute drive is well-suited for a single day, so consider an early morning departure from Dayton to maximize your daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a significant change in major road is over 178 miles on I-40. Given the highway focus, be prepared for consistent speeds and potential traffic as you approach Memphis. Your estimated fuel cost is around $55, so budget accordingly for this efficient 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 174.4 miles from Dayton, TN, or about 3h 32m 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 77 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.4 miles or 3h 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 5h 36m
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 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 348.9 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 108.9 and 348.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
108.9 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
8
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
6
335.1 mi into trip|~6h 26m 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
335.2 mi into trip|~6h 26m 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
348.4 mi into trip|~6h 42m 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
$51.52 one way
$103.05 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$56.88
$113.76
premium
$4.72
$64.78
$129.56
diesel
$4.80
$65.88
$131.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.7
1
$36.63
$16.75
Efficient EV
87.2
0
$30.53
$13.96
EV Truck/SUV
139.6
1
$48.85
$22.33
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Dayton, TN
Late night
in Dayton on Monday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 0 to 5 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:30AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Monday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:30AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
16 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
6h 43m 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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 108.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that is predominantly highway-based, with 83% of the mileage on faster roads like I-40. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 178.1 miles along I-40, offering a chance to cover significant ground efficiently. While much of the route is on major interstates, you'll also utilize US-27 and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, which may offer slightly different driving experiences. The character of the drive shifts from more eastern Tennessee terrain to flatter western sections as you progress towards Memphis.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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 Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 108.9 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 348.9 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 108.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 335.1 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,929 ft258 ft
Total Climb
1,755 ft
Total Descent
2,195 ft
Highest Point
1,929 ft
~49.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,671 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 Dayton, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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 43m. Total distance: 348.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m 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 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 108.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 335.1 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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.
