Farragut, TN to Smyrna, TN is 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 24m via I 40 and US 70, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a route best suited for those who want to cover ground efficiently. You'll find it's a practical choice for a single-day trip, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
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
140.3 miles from Farragut, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
243.6 mi
4h 24m
US 641
13.7 mi
15m
US 70
9.4 mi
14m
SR 114
4.1 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi
6m
Smyrna Road
2 mi
7m
North Campbell Station Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 243.6 mi, about 4h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Farragut, TN and Smyrna, TN.
1
Start on West End Avenue
40 ft·6 sec·West End Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 11; US 70
0.5 mi·53 sec·Kingston Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto North Campbell Station Road
1.6 mi·3 min·North Campbell Station Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward Campbell Station Road, Farragut
5
Merge onto I 40; I 75
4.5 mi·5 min·I 40; I 75
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 126Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
13
Keep slight right at fork
192 ft·4 sec
14
Merge onto US 641
14 mi·15 min·US 641
15
Turn left onto US 70
1.6 mi·2 min·US 70
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
7.8 mi·11 min·US 70
17
Turn left onto SR 114
4.1 mi·7 min·SR 114
18
Turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi·6 min·Buena Vista Road
19
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2.0 mi·7 min·Smyrna Road
20
Turn right onto Buck Ditch Road
58 ft·2 sec·Buck Ditch Road
21
Arrive at destination
Buck Ditch Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any unforeseen delays. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for one stop around the halfway point is advisable for refueling and a break. The longest stretch on I 40 is over 240 miles, so be sure to fill up your tank before entering this extended highway segment. Your estimated fuel cost is around $44, so factor that into your budget.
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 140.3 miles from Farragut, TN, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 243.6 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 62 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.3 miles or 2h 33m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Farragut, 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 Farragut, TN
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Farragut, 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 243.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 167.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 11; US 70 / Kingston Pike
Turn right onto US 11; US 70 / Kingston Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
6.7 mi into trip|~9m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
161.6 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
163.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
167.1 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.82 one way
$93.65 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$51.09
$102.18
premium
$5.25
$58.05
$116.10
diesel
$6.28
$69.36
$138.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.47
$13.47
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
EV Truck/SUV
112.3
1
$39.30
$17.96
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Farragut, TN
Night
in Farragut on Thursday
Local time
9:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Smyrna, TN
Evening
in Smyrna on Thursday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NNE 0 to 5 mph1% 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
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
5h 24m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 145.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 96% of the route on interstates and major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 243.6 miles on I 40, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur towards the end of your travel. Expect a high volume of exits and merges for much of the trip due to the highway profile.
96% 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: 243.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 11; US 70 / Kingston Pike.
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 19 significant decision points across 280.7 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: near the start (US 11; US 70 / Kingston Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,880 ft384 ft
Total Climb
1,461 ft
Total Descent
1,827 ft
Highest Point
1,880 ft
~60.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,497 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Farragut, TN and Smyrna, TN, road signs point toward Memphis, Louisville, Paris and Parsons.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 243.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Smyrna, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 11; US 70 / Kingston Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smyrna, TN before the return drive.
