Origin
Dresden, TN
Morning in Dresden on Sunday
Local time
11:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dresden, TN to Memphis, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
135.1 mi
217 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dresden, TN
Niklas Jeromin
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 135.1-mile journey from Dresden, TN to Memphis, TN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-40, US-45W Bypass, and US-45W, offering a straightforward drive through the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, it's an economical option for a quick transition between these Tennessee locales. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll find this route is well-suited for a relaxed pace, with ample opportunity to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
67.6 miles from Dresden, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 82.5 mi | 1h 32m |
| US 45W Bypass | 14.5 mi | 18m |
| US 45W | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Green Field Highway | 10.6 mi | 18m |
| South Meridian Street | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Bradford Highway | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Trenton Highway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dresden, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on South Wilson Street
89 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Wilson Street
2
Turn left onto TN 54; TN 89
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn left onto TN 54; TN 89
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pikeview Street
4
Turn straight onto TN 54
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Morrow Avenue
5
Continue on TN 54
11 mi
·
18 min
·
Green Field Highway
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 45E
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
South Meridian Street
7
Turn right onto TN 54
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
8
Continue on TN 54
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Trenton Highway
9
Continue on TN 54
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Bradford Highway
10
Continue on TN 54
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Halliburton Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 45W; TN 54
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 45W; TN 54
12
Turn left onto US 45W Bypass; US 70A Bypass; US 79 Bypass
14 mi
·
18 min
·
US 45W Bypass; US 70A Bypass; US 79 Bypass
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
14
Merge onto I 40; US 412
69 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 40; US 412
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 40
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 40
Exit 10A-B
Toward 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 10B
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Use 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 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Use 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
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip offers flexibility. You can depart Dresden at your convenience, perhaps after a leisurely breakfast, and still arrive in Memphis well before evening. Plan for just one stop along the way; the 82.5-mile stretch on I-40 is substantial, so breaking it up is a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that long interstate segment, as services can be spaced out. Your estimated fuel cost of $21 makes this a budget-friendly drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.6 miles from Dresden, TN, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 30 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.6 miles or 1h 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 2h 18m
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 Dresden, 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 Dresden, TN
This is one driving day of about 135.1 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Dresden, 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 82.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.6 miles from Dresden, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 11.9 and 134.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.9 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 45E / South Meridian Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 45E / South Meridian Street
Navigation decision point
6
121.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m 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
121.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
132.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m 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
134.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m 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
$21.12 one way
$42.24 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.19 | $46.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.00 | $52.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.83 | $59.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.19 | $6.48 |
| Efficient EV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.82 | $5.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54 | 0 | $18.91 | $8.65 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Memphis, TN
Morning in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
11:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SSW 15 mph
2% chance
Live 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
34 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
2h 47m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 80% highway-focused drive on this route, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.5 miles, largely along I-40, which provides a consistent and direct path. While the profile is largely highway, there are segments on US-45W Bypass and US-45W that will offer a slightly different driving experience as you approach and depart the interstate. This blend means you get the efficiency of the highway with brief excursions onto more local thoroughfares.
80% 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: 82.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 45W Bypass. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.9 miles in near US 45E / South Meridian Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 135.1 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 11.9 miles (US 45E / South Meridian Street): Navigation decision point; at 121.3 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 Dresden, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Little Rock
121.3 mi in
|
~2h 29m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Arriving in Memphis, TN
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 135.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.9 miles (US 45E / South Meridian Street): Navigation decision point; at 121.3 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Memphis, TN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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