Fayetteville to Memphis is 224.5 miles and takes about 4h 34m via US 64, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to a more western part of the state. Expect a drive with many turns, suggesting a more local feel rather than a straight-shot interstate journey. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.
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
112.2 miles from Fayetteville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Market Street
49.1 mi
1h 2m
US 64
47.4 mi
59m
Lawrenceburg Highway
44.4 mi
50m
Pulaski Highway
31 mi
35m
West Cherry Avenue
22.4 mi
26m
I 40
13.3 mi
16m
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
7 mi
8m
Bridge Avenue
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
East Market Street
— 49.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 431
79 ft·8 sec·Main Avenue South
2
Turn left onto US 64 Business
0.5 mi·46 sec·College Street West
3
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
0.2 mi·14 sec·Morgan Avenue North
4
Continue on US 64 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Washington Street West
5
Continue on US 64
31 mi·35 min·Pulaski Highway
6
Turn left onto US 64
0.7 mi·50 sec·West College Street
7
Continue on US 64
44 mi·50 min·Lawrenceburg Highway
8
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·56 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
9
Turn right onto US 64
31 mi·35 min·US 64
10
Turn slight left onto Hanna Boulevard
521 ft·17 sec·Hanna Boulevard
11
Turn right onto Water Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Water Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 64; SR 69
4.0 mi·6 min·Bridge Avenue
13
Continue on US 64; SR 22; SR 69
16 mi·23 min·US 64; SR 22; SR 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
334 ft·9 sec
15
Turn right onto US 64 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·Mulberry Avenue
16
Continue on US 64 Business
22 mi·26 min·West Cherry Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 64
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·East Market Street
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward Memphis
19
Merge onto I 40
7.0 mi·8 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 34m estimated duration and 224.5 miles, this is a comfortable one-day drive. Consider an early morning departure from Fayetteville to maximize daylight and allow for the drive's turn-heavy nature. While the fuel cost is estimated at $35, keeping an eye on your gauge is always wise, especially with the longest stretch being 49.1 miles and the route having a significant local road component. Plan for one stop to break up the journey, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed.
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 112.2 miles from Fayetteville, TN, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.2 miles or 2h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, TN
This is one driving day of about 224.5 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Fayetteville, 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 East Market Street for about 49.1 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 203.7 and 224 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
203.7 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
210.6 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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
210.8 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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
221.9 mi into trip|~4h 30m 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
224 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
$35.10 one way
$70.20 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.54
$77.07
premium
$4.89
$43.20
$86.41
diesel
$5.61
$49.57
$99.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.4
0
$23.57
$10.78
Efficient EV
56.1
0
$19.64
$8.98
EV Truck/SUV
89.8
1
$31.43
$14.37
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Fayetteville, TN
Night
in Fayetteville on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Night
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
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
4h 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its frequent turns, indicating a more intimate, local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. With only 27% of the drive on highways, you'll spend a significant portion on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.1 miles on East Market Street, meaning you won't be on a single, continuous road for an extended period. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be navigating through towns and varied terrain, requiring your attention to the road.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on East Market Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 203.7 miles in near I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
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 224.5 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 203.7 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 210.6 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.8 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.
On the drive from Fayetteville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock 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 4h 34m. Total distance: 224.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on East Market Street. 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 203.7 miles (I 40 / Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 210.6 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Memphis, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
