Madisonville, TN to Smyrna, TN is 308 miles and takes about 5h 58m via I-40, I-75, and US-641, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The majority of this drive is on interstate highways, making it a straightforward option for getting between these two points. It's a solid choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without much fuss, especially since it's easily manageable in a single day.
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
154 miles from Madisonville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
238.6 mi
4h 18m
US 641
13.7 mi
15m
I 75
11.9 mi
12m
State Route 72
9.6 mi
14m
US 70
9.4 mi
14m
US 411
5.9 mi
6m
SR 72
5.7 mi
8m
SR 114
4.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 238.6 mi, about 4h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madisonville, TN and Smyrna, TN.
1
Start on College Street South
8 ft·4 sec·College Street South
2
Turn right onto Warren Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Warren Street
3
Merge onto US 411
5.9 mi·6 min·US 411
4
Turn left onto SR 72
5.7 mi·8 min·SR 72
5
Continue on TN 72
9.6 mi·14 min·State Route 72
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward Primary SR 72: Loudon
7
Merge onto I 75
12 mi·12 min·I 75
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 40
154 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
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 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 126Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
16
Keep slight right at fork
192 ft·4 sec
17
Merge onto US 641
14 mi·15 min·US 641
18
Turn left onto US 70
1.6 mi·2 min·US 70
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
7.8 mi·11 min·US 70
20
Turn left onto SR 114
4.1 mi·7 min·SR 114
21
Turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi·6 min·Buena Vista Road
22
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2.0 mi·7 min·Smyrna Road
23
Turn right onto Buck Ditch Road
58 ft·2 sec·Buck Ditch Road
24
Arrive at destination
Buck Ditch Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 58-minute duration, leaving Madisonville in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Smyrna with plenty of daylight. You can comfortably complete this drive in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider breaking it up. The longest stretch on I-40 is nearly 240 miles, so plan for at least one significant stop before that point for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of that long interstate segment; the $47 fuel estimate is based on current averages.
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 154 miles from Madisonville, TN, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 238.6 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 68 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 2h 53m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Madisonville, 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 Madisonville, TN
This is one driving day of about 308 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Madisonville, 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 238.6 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.2 and 194.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.2 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
6
34.5 mi into trip|~44m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40 toward Nashville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
188.9 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
194.4 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.48 one way
$90.97 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$50.21
$100.43
premium
$4.72
$57.19
$114.37
diesel
$4.80
$58.16
$116.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.4
1
$32.34
$14.78
Efficient EV
77
0
$26.95
$12.32
EV Truck/SUV
123.2
1
$43.12
$19.71
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Madisonville, TN
Morning
in Madisonville on Sunday
Local time
10:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:09PM CDT until July 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Smyrna, TN
Morning
in Smyrna on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:09PM CDT until July 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
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
2 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
5h 58m 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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 169.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly highway driving, with 97% of the 308 miles on interstates like I-40 and I-75. You'll experience a long stretch of 238.6 miles on I-40, which means plenty of consistent cruising. Expect a dense network of exits and services during these highway segments. The transition to US-641 marks the end of the predominantly highway driving.
97% 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: 238.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.2 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 308 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 34.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,902 ft429 ft
Total Climb
1,513 ft
Total Descent
1,993 ft
Highest Point
1,902 ft
~88 mi in
Elevation Range
1,473 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Madisonville, TN and Smyrna, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 72: Loudon, Nashville, Memphis, Louisville, Paris and Parsons.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 308 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 238.6 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 Smyrna, 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.9 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smyrna, TN before the return drive.
