Crossing Tennessee from Dunlap to Memphis covers 317.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 7 minutes of driving time. Since this route is heavily focused on major highways, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day, though it requires a steady pace. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to make the trek across the state. Transitioning from the Southeast region of Dunlap toward the western end of the state, you will rely primarily on I-40, the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and the John Bragg Highway. It is a straightforward, efficient transit that prioritizes destination over exploration, making it ideal if you want to reach the Mississippi River efficiently.
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
158.8 miles from Dunlap, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
178.1 mi
3h 14m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi
18m
TN 8
12.6 mi
17m
Harrison Ferry Road
12.3 mi
17m
Nashville Highway
10.2 mi
11m
McMinnville Highway
8.1 mi
10m
State Highway 8
7.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dunlap, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 127
2.0 mi·3 min·Rankin Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
3
Continue on TN 8; TN 111
13 mi·17 min·TN 8; TN 111
4
Turn left onto TN 8
7.3 mi·9 min·State Highway 8
5
Continue on TN 8
12 mi·17 min·Harrison Ferry Road
6
Turn slight right onto SR 56
1.3 mi·1 min·Beersheba Highway
7
Continue on SR 56
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Colville Street
8
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi·20 sec·South Chancery Street
9
Turn left onto SR 380
0.3 mi·26 sec·West Morford Street
10
Continue on SR 380
2.1 mi·3 min·West Main Street
11
Continue on US 70S
10 mi·11 min·Nashville Highway
12
Continue on US 70S
8.1 mi·10 min·McMinnville Highway
13
Continue on US 70S; SR 53
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
14
Continue on US 70S
16 mi·18 min·John Bragg Highway
15
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi·5 min·South Rutherford Boulevard
16
Turn left onto US 231
0.3 mi·22 sec·South Church Street
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 24 West: NashvilleUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 24
6.5 mi·6 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
20
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 40
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, aim for a morning departure that allows you to arrive in Memphis well before sunset. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the lengthy stretches on I-40. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is calculated at $48, but monitoring your tank during that 178.1-mile interstate segment is essential to avoid unnecessary detours. Because this is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; if you find yourself fatiguing, don't hesitate to add a second quick stop to maintain your focus. Pay close attention to traffic patterns as you approach the Memphis area, as the transition from highway driving to urban navigation can be the most demanding part of the day.
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 158.8 miles from Dunlap, TN, or about 3h 12m 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 70 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.8 miles or 3h 12m 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 2m
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 Dunlap, 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 Dunlap, TN
This is one driving day of about 317.7 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Dunlap, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 77.7 and 317.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
303.8 mi into trip|~5h 49m 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
304 mi into trip|~5h 49m 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
317.2 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
$49.67 one way
$99.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$54.53
$109.07
premium
$4.89
$61.14
$122.28
diesel
$5.61
$70.14
$140.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.3
1
$33.36
$15.25
Efficient EV
79.4
0
$27.80
$12.71
EV Truck/SUV
127.1
1
$44.48
$20.33
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Dunlap, TN
Late night
in Dunlap on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
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
18 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 7m 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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 87.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 81% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 178.1 miles on I-40. The drive shifts from the local connectivity of the John Bragg Highway and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway into the high-speed, consistent flow of the interstate system. Because the vast majority of your time is spent on these main arteries, the road feels purposeful and direct rather than winding or technical. You will find that the character of the pavement remains consistent, allowing you to maintain a steady pace for the duration of the trip.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
8/10
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 77.7 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 317.7 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 77.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303.8 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Dunlap, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 317.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 77.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303.8 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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.
