This 384.3-mile journey from Loudon, TN to Memphis, TN is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 7 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-40 and I-75, with a brief stint on the Downtown Loop, this route is heavily focused on highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $60, making it a budget-friendly option for covering significant ground. Given its duration and highway-focused profile, it's very manageable as a one-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entire trip.
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
192.1 miles from Loudon, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
367.2 mi
6h 40m
I 75
7.4 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
East Lee Highway
2.3 mi
3m
Sugar Limb Road
2 mi
3m
Grove Street
0.7 mi
1m
Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. Loudon County Veterans Memorial Bridge
0.5 mi
<1m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 367.2 mi, about 6h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Loudon, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Blair Street
41 ft·8 sec·Blair Street
2
Turn left onto Grove Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Grove Street
3
Turn right onto US 11
0.1 mi·9 sec·Mulberry Street
4
Continue on US 11
0.5 mi·44 sec·Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. Loudon County Veterans Memorial Bridge
5
Continue on US 11
2.3 mi·3 min·East Lee Highway
6
Turn left onto SR 324
2.0 mi·3 min·Sugar Limb Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
8
Merge onto I 75
7.4 mi·7 min·I 75
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
154 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
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
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Loudon, TN, to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With only 2 recommended stops and a longest stretch of over 360 miles, plan your breaks strategically. You might want to stop around the halfway point to refuel and stretch your legs, as the longest stretch of continuous driving is quite extensive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're deep into the 367.2-mile segment on I-40, as services can be more spread out in certain areas.
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 192.1 miles from Loudon, TN, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 367.2 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.1 miles or 3h 33m 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 56m
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 Loudon, 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 Loudon, TN
This is one driving day of about 384.3 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Loudon, 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 367.2 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 168.1 and 383.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
170.2 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
173.6 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
370.6 mi into trip|~6h 46m 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
383.8 mi into trip|~7h 3m 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
$56.75 one way
$113.50 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$62.65
$125.31
premium
$4.72
$71.35
$142.71
diesel
$4.80
$72.56
$145.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.3
1
$40.35
$18.45
Efficient EV
96.1
1
$33.63
$15.37
EV Truck/SUV
153.7
1
$53.80
$24.60
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Loudon, TN
Afternoon
in Loudon on Sunday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph7% chanceLive 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
1 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 4m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 159
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive for 97% of this 384.3-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on interstates, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 367.2 miles, mostly on I-40, meaning you can settle in for long periods of steady driving. While not a route defined by winding backroads, its highway nature ensures a straightforward and predictable experience behind the wheel, minimizing complex navigation.
97% 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: 367.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 168.1 miles in near I 40.
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 384.3 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 168.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,794 ft258 ft
Total Climb
1,234 ft
Total Descent
1,803 ft
Highest Point
1,794 ft
~82.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,536 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 Loudon, 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
•National Civil Rights Museum — hotel that was site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., now a museum
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 4m. Total distance: 384.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 367.2 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 168.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.6 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 14.1 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.
