Origin
Louisville, TN
Night in Louisville on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisville, TN to Memphis, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 15m
Distance
393.3 mi
633 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 5m
★
6 AM
7h 16m
8 AM
7h 37m
10 AM
7h 23m
12 PM
7h 21m
3 PM
7h 24m
5 PM
7h 36m
8 PM
7h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Louisville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crossing Tennessee from Louisville to Memphis covers 393.3 miles, a trek that typically takes about 7 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can realistically complete the journey in a single day if you stay focused. You should budget approximately $60 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast hubs. While the drive is straightforward, it is a significant commitment behind the wheel, so decide if you prefer an early start or a more relaxed pace. This trip is an efficient way to traverse the state, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the duration of your travel.
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
196.6 miles from Louisville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 374.8 mi | 6h 48m |
| Pellissippi Parkway | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Topside Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Louisville Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Honey Rock Way | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 374.8 mi, about 6h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Honey Rock Way
71 ft
·
4 sec
·
Honey Rock Way
2
Turn right onto SR 333
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Louisville Road
3
Turn left onto SR 333
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Topside Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 9
5
Merge onto I 140
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Pellissippi Parkway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South: Nashville, Chattanooga
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge onto I 40; I 75
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
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
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft
·
4 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour and 15-minute duration effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the vast majority of your time is spent on a single interstate, try to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic patterns near urban centers. Given the 374.8-mile stretch on I-40, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when passing through more remote sections of the highway. Because the route is highly predictable, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for daytime versus evening arrival. Make sure to factor in your planned stops when calculating your total arrival time to ensure you don't feel rushed on the road.
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 196.6 miles from Louisville, TN, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 374.8 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 87 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.6 miles or 3h 39m 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 7m
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 Louisville, 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 Louisville, TN
This is one driving day of about 393.3 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Louisville, 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 374.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
197 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 196.6 miles from Louisville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 374.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 392.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
22.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
177.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m 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
179.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
379.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 58m 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
392.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 14m 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
$61.49 one way
$122.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
138 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $67.51 | $135.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $75.69 | $151.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $86.84 | $173.67 |
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: 137.6 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 | 118 | 1 | $41.30 | $18.88 |
| Efficient EV | 98.3 | 1 | $34.41 | $15.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 157.3 | 1 | $55.06 | $25.17 |
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Destination
Memphis, TN
Night in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
9:49 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
27 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 15m 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 162.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a serious interstate grind, as 98% of your journey stays on high-speed roads. You will navigate the Pellissippi Parkway and Topside Road briefly before settling into the long, primary stretch of I-40. In fact, you will spend 374.8 miles of your trip on I-40, making it the dominant feature of your time on the road. The personality of this drive is functional and direct rather than technical or winding. Prepare for a consistent highway experience where maintaining a steady pace is the key to reaching your destination efficiently.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 374.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Pellissippi Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 393.3 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 22.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.2 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.
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 Louisville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
22.2 mi in
|
~30m
|
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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 393.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 374.8 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 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 22.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.2 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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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