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Trip from Johnson City, TN to Memphis, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 6m

Distance

496.1 mi

798 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$78

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
8h 58m ★
6 AM
9h 6m
8 AM
9h 23m
10 AM
9h 12m
12 PM
9h 10m
3 PM
9h 13m
5 PM
9h 22m
8 PM
9h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Johnson City, TN, TN

Johnson City, TN

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Shelby County, Tennessee, United States

Memphis, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a journey from Johnson City, TN, to Memphis, TN, covers 496.1 miles and is estimated to take around 9 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. This predominantly highway-focused drive utilizes major routes like I-40 and I-81, with a small portion on James H. Quillen Parkway, making it a 99% highway experience. Given the duration, it's best suited as a two-day trip to avoid an overly long single day behind the wheel. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is approximately $78. You'll be traveling within the same region, Southeast, and state, Tennessee, for the entirety of your drive.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

248 miles from Johnson City, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 420.4 mi 7h 39m
I 81 57.1 mi 1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway 13.7 mi 16m
Downtown Loop 2.9 mi 3m
East Watauga Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
North Roan Street 0.3 mi <1m
Buffalo Street 0.3 mi <1m
North 2nd Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 420.4 mi, about 7h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, TN and Memphis, TN.

1

Start on this road

433 ft · 35 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Buffalo Street

0.3 mi · 56 sec · Buffalo Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto North Roan Street

0.3 mi · 36 sec · North Roan Street
Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto SR 400

0.3 mi · 45 sec · East Watauga Avenue
5

Turn left onto Oak Street

441 ft · 10 sec · Oak Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
7

Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23

14 mi · 16 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Exit 8A Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
9

Merge onto I 81

56 mi · 1 hr · I 81
10

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81
Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
11

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40
Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 3 min · I 40
Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

0.4 mi · 42 sec · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis Use the slight left lane.
15

Merge onto I 40

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 40

2.3 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
Exit 210A Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

197 mi · 3 hr 33 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit onto I 40

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 40
Exit 10A-B Toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

11 mi · 13 min · I 40
Exit 10B Toward I 40 West: Little Rock Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 1A Toward Second Street, Third Street Use the slight right lane.
22

Continue on North 2nd Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23

Turn left onto Poplar Avenue

202 ft · 4 sec · Poplar Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

Poplar Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 9-hour drive, consider splitting it over two days to make the journey more comfortable. Aim to start early to maximize daylight hours and allow ample time for your planned two stops. The longest continuous stretch is over 420 miles, so plan your refueling accordingly to avoid any issues. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the extended I-40 segment, as services can sometimes be spaced out. By breaking up the drive, you can enjoy the trip without feeling rushed.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 248 miles from Johnson City, TN, or about 4h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 420.4 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 109 miles or 2h 2m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 248 miles or 4h 33m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 248 miles or 4h 33m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 58m

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 Johnson City, 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.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Johnson City, TN

Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Memphis, TN

Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from Johnson City, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 420.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Powells Crossroads, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Powells Crossroads, TN

248 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Powells Crossroads, TN

Overnight Options

Night 1

Powells Crossroads, TN

248 mi · about 4.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Powells Crossroads, TN after about 248 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Knoxville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 109 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 248 miles from Johnson City, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 420.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 248 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Listening Room Cafe - Nashville

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 283.5

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16152593600

Visit website

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, TN

0.8 mi

Blues City Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Memphis, Tennessee

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Memphis, Tennessee

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 496.1

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19015523852

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Knoxville, Tennessee

0.8 mi

The Loading Dock Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

2.5 mi

Listening Room Cafe - Nashville

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 283.5

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16152593600

Visit website

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 283.5

Nashville, TN

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16158407933

Visit website

Blues City Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 496.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+19015263637

Visit website

Midtown Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 283.5

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+16153207176

Visit website

The Cookery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 283.5

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16152692911

Visit website

Americano Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 283.5

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16292036991

Visit website

Fattoush Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 283.5

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16153211667

Visit website

Germantown Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 283.5

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16152423226

Visit website

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 496.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19015523852

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.3

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Loading Dock Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 283.5

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16156518154

Visit website

Cultivate Coffee + Flowers

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.3

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18652537560

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 496.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 496.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 496.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 496.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 496.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 106.3

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 495.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | North Roan Street

Turn left onto North Roan Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
9
279.9 mi into trip | ~5h 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
282 mi into trip | ~5h 10m 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
482.4 mi into trip | ~8h 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
495.6 mi into trip | ~9h 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

$77.56 one way

$155.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 174 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $85.16 $170.31
premium $4.89 $95.47 $190.94
diesel $5.61 $109.53 $219.07

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$78

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$208–$318

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 173.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 148.8 1 $52.09 $23.81
Efficient EV 124 1 $43.41 $19.84
EV Truck/SUV 198.4 2 $69.45 $31.75

Gas CO2

174 kg

EV CO2

58 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 16, 2026

Origin

Johnson City, TN

Night in Johnson City on Saturday

Local time

9:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Memphis, TN

Evening in Memphis on Saturday

Local time

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 mph 60% chance 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

9h 6m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 256.6
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 85.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of its mileage on major interstates like I-40 and I-81. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 420.4 miles primarily on I-40. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these high-speed roadways, offering efficiency and directness. While primarily interstate, a small portion on James H. Quillen Parkway may offer a slight change of pace before you rejoin the main highways.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 420.4 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North Roan Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 21 significant decision points across 496.1 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 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 279.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282 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.

Between Johnson City, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.

Nashville

125.1 mi in | ~2h 20m | via I 40

Louisville

283.1 mi in | ~5h 12m | via I 40

About the Cities

Arriving in Memphis, TN

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 420.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 248 miles on day one.

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 0.4 miles (North Roan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 279.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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