Greenback, TN to Memphis, TN is 386.9 miles and takes about 7h 13m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive primarily sticks to I 40, making it a straightforward trip across the Southeast region of Tennessee. With a highway share of 97%, you'll experience a consistent pace for most of the journey. Planning for just one day is realistic, but consider your preferred pace and the number of stops you plan to make. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from East Tennessee to the Mississippi River.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
193.5 miles from Greenback, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
363.1 mi
6h 35m
Lamar Alexander Parkway
12.4 mi
18m
Lenoir City Road
7.6 mi
13m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Morganton Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Poplar Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Oak Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 363.1 mi, about 6h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenback, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Oak Street
54 ft·6 sec·Oak Street
2
Turn right onto TN 95
0.2 mi·21 sec·Morganton Road
3
Turn right onto TN 95
5.5 mi·9 min·Lenoir City Road
4
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 95
2.1 mi·3 min·Lenoir City Road
5
Turn left onto US 321
12 mi·18 min·Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 40
150 mi·2 hr 41 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi·3 hr 33 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
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
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 13m estimated duration, leaving Greenback in the morning will allow you to reach Memphis with daylight to spare. With only 2 recommended stops, you can strategically plan them for fuel and a quick break. The longest stretch on I 40 is over 360 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on this segment. Given the highway-focused nature, rest stops will likely be at standard interstate service areas. Factor in potential traffic, especially as you approach Memphis, which might extend your travel time slightly beyond the estimate.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193.5 miles from Greenback, TN, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 363.1 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 85 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.5 miles or 3h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
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 Greenback, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Greenback, TN
This is one driving day of about 386.9 miles and 7h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Greenback, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 363.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.1 and 386.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.1 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
9
170.7 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
172.9 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
8
373.2 mi into trip|~6h 55m 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
386.4 mi into trip|~7h 12m 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
$60.49 one way
$120.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$66.41
$132.83
premium
$4.89
$74.46
$148.91
diesel
$5.61
$85.42
$170.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.1
1
$40.62
$18.57
Efficient EV
96.7
1
$33.85
$15.48
EV Truck/SUV
154.8
1
$54.17
$24.76
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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 18, 2026
Origin
Greenback, TN
Late night
in Greenback on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Night
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:14 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
22 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
7h 13m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 160.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with a substantial 97% of the route utilizing major highways like I 40. You'll encounter Lamar Alexander Parkway and Lenoir City Road early on, but quickly transition to the interstate. The bulk of your travel will be on I 40, featuring a long, uninterrupted stretch of 363.1 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience with limited deviations from the main highway, offering a steady pace across the state. This profile suggests a route optimized for direct travel rather than scenic detours.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 363.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Lamar Alexander Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 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 17 significant decision points across 386.9 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 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Greenback, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville 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 7h 13m. Total distance: 386.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 363.1 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.9 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 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.
