This 269.2-mile drive from Lafayette to Memphis, Tennessee, is a solid day trip, taking about 5 hours and 6 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on I-40, making it a highway-focused experience with 92% of the route on interstates. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, it's an economical journey across the Southeast. While you can certainly cover the distance in one go, planning for one stop along the way is advisable. This is a straightforward drive, perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
134.6 miles from Lafayette, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
209.8 mi
3h 49m
US 31E
16.9 mi
21m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
15.1 mi
17m
SR 52
12.5 mi
18m
I 65
9 mi
10m
Long Hollow Pike
2 mi
2m
Downtown Loop
1.6 mi
2m
College Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 209.8 mi, about 3h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on this road
19 ft·0 sec·this road
2
Continue on TN 10; TN 261
106 ft·2 sec·Public Square
3
Continue on TN 10
0.5 mi·48 sec·College Street
4
Turn slight right
332 ft·11 sec
5
Continue on SR 52
13 mi·18 min·SR 52
6
Turn left onto US 31E; US 231
17 mi·21 min·US 31E; US 231
7
Continue on US 31E
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Broadway
8
Turn right onto TN 25
0.4 mi·31 sec·Red River Road
9
Turn straight onto SR 174
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Hollow Pike
10
Continue on TN 386
15 mi·17 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
8.7 mi·10 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 65
0.3 mi·32 sec·I 65
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 65
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Exit 84BToward I 40 West: Memphis
15
Merge onto I 40
196 mi·3 hr 32 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving Lafayette in the morning will allow you to reach Memphis by early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to settle in. While the drive is manageable in one day, consider a brief stop around the halfway mark to stretch your legs. The longest stretch on I-40 is over 200 miles, so breaking this up is key. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you get closer to Memphis; planning one fuel stop before hitting the city can save you time and potential hassle.
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 134.6 miles from Lafayette, TN, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.8 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 59 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 2h 37m 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 11m
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 Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, TN
This is one driving day of about 269.2 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Lafayette, 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 209.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 56.4 and 268.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
56.4 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|I 65
Take the exit onto I 65 toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
6
255.4 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
255.5 mi into trip|~4h 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
6
266.7 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
268.8 mi into trip|~5h 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
$42.09 one way
$84.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.21
$92.42
premium
$4.89
$51.81
$103.61
diesel
$5.61
$59.44
$118.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.8
0
$28.27
$12.92
Efficient EV
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.77
EV Truck/SUV
107.7
1
$37.69
$17.23
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Lafayette, TN
Night
in Lafayette on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Night
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
9:45 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
17 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
5h 6m 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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 55.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with I-40 forming the backbone of your journey. You'll encounter Vietnam Veterans Boulevard and US 31E for shorter segments, but the vast majority of your time will be spent on the interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 209.8 miles on I-40, meaning you'll have long periods of consistent speed. This drive is characterized by its efficiency and directness, rather than winding scenic byways.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.8 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 31E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.4 miles in near I 65.
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 13 significant decision points across 269.2 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 56.4 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.4 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.5 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 Lafayette, 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 5h 6m. Total distance: 269.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.8 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 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 56.4 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.4 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.5 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.
