Huntsville, TN to Memphis, TN is 366.7 miles and takes about 7h 6m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, covering ground across Tennessee. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover distance efficiently. With only 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of over 300 miles on I 40, this drive is well-suited for a single-day transit.
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
183.4 miles from Huntsville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
300.1 mi
5h 28m
Deer Lodge Highway East
21.8 mi
32m
Scott Highway
10.1 mi
13m
Nashville Highway
9.7 mi
13m
Deer Lodge Highway
9.5 mi
16m
Morgan County Highway
5.3 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Howard H Baker Highway
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 300.1 mi, about 5h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Woodland Place
19 ft·6 sec·Woodland Place
2
Turn left onto Court Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Court Street
3
Turn left onto SR 63; SR 297
2.8 mi·4 min·Howard H Baker Highway
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 27
3.5 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
5
Continue on US 27
2.6 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
6
Continue on US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·Lon Foust Highway
7
Continue on US 27
4.0 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
8
Continue on US 27
5.3 mi·6 min·Morgan County Highway
9
Turn right onto SR 329
6.9 mi·12 min·Deer Lodge Highway
10
Continue on SR 329
0.2 mi·25 sec·Irving Street
11
Turn left onto SR 329
2.6 mi·4 min·Deer Lodge Highway
12
Continue on SR 62
9.7 mi·13 min·Nashville Highway
13
Continue on SR 62
22 mi·32 min·Deer Lodge Highway East
14
Turn straight onto SR 62
1.3 mi·2 min·East Commercial Avenue
15
Turn left onto SR 84
0.7 mi·58 sec·South Holly Street
16
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
366 ft·7 sec·Monterey Highway
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
18
Merge onto I 40
87 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
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.
24
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
25
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.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, leaving Huntsville early in the morning will allow you to reach Memphis with plenty of daylight to spare. While the route has only 2 recommended stops, you'll want to stay mindful of fuel, especially during the long 300.1-mile stretch on I 40. Consider topping off your tank before leaving Huntsville or at the first planned stop to ensure you have ample range. This drive is easily manageable in one day, so you have flexibility in planning your stops for breaks or a meal.
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 183.4 miles from Huntsville, TN, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 300.1 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 81 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.4 miles or 3h 45m 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 59m
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 Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, TN
This is one driving day of about 366.7 miles and 7h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Huntsville, 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 300.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 150.6 and 366.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
150.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
152.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
156 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
8
353 mi into trip|~6h 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
366.3 mi into trip|~7h 5m 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
$61.17 one way
$122.34 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$66.48
$132.96
premium
$5.26
$75.92
$151.85
diesel
$6.18
$89.21
$178.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Blink Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 3
Blink: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110
1
$38.50
$17.60
Efficient EV
91.7
1
$32.09
$14.67
EV Truck/SUV
146.7
1
$51.34
$23.47
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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 19, 2026
Origin
Huntsville, TN
Morning
in Huntsville on Monday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Morning
in Memphis on Monday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
76°F
Hartsville, TN
183 mi in
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
21 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 6m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 139.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 82% of the route on major interstates. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I 40, including a continuous stretch of 300.1 miles. Expect to transition from I 40 to surface roads like Deer Lodge Highway East and Scott Highway as you approach your destination. The long highway segments mean you'll notice frequent exits and potential for steady cruising.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 300.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Deer Lodge Highway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 150.6 miles in near I 40.
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 366.7 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 150.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,822 ft258 ft
Total Climb
843 ft
Total Descent
1,908 ft
Highest Point
1,822 ft
~52.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,564 ft
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 Huntsville, 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.
Top landmarks
•Graceland — mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, United States; former residence of Elvis Presley
•Blues Hall of Fame — award by Blues Foundation, since 2015 also a music museum in Memphis, Tennessee
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 6m. Total distance: 366.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 300.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 150.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 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.
