Traveling from Martin to Memphis covers approximately 135.6 miles of West Tennessee terrain. You can expect the journey to take about 2 hours and 20 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. Since you won't need an overnight stay, you can easily head out in the morning and reach your destination by midday. Budgeting around $20 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trip. Because both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will notice a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.7 miles from Martin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
82.5 mi
1h 32m
Elm Street
19.6 mi
23m
US 45W Bypass
14.5 mi
18m
US 45W
11.7 mi
13m
Bradford Highway
4.4 mi
7m
Trenton Highway
2.7 mi
4m
West Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Halliburton Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Martin, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 45E Business
489 ft·14 sec·South Lindell Street
2
Turn right onto US 45E Business; SR 431
0.2 mi·23 sec·University Street
3
Turn left onto US 45E Business
20 mi·23 min·Elm Street
4
Turn right onto TN 54
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on TN 54
2.7 mi·4 min·Trenton Highway
6
Continue on TN 54
4.4 mi·7 min·Bradford Highway
7
Continue on TN 54
0.3 mi·37 sec·Halliburton Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 45W; TN 54
12 mi·13 min·US 45W; TN 54
9
Turn left onto US 45W Bypass; US 70A Bypass; US 79 Bypass
14 mi·18 min·US 45W Bypass; US 70A Bypass; US 79 Bypass
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
11
Merge onto I 40; US 412
69 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 40; US 412
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the nature of these local roads, plan to depart during daylight hours to ensure you can clearly navigate the frequent turns along the Bradford Highway. Because the total duration is short, you have the flexibility to make the trip in one go without the need for scheduled rest stops. Keep your navigation tools handy, as the reliance on local streets rather than major interstates means you will want to stay alert for turn-by-turn directions. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $20, filling up before you leave Martin is a simple way to ensure a stress-free start to your drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.7 miles from Martin, TN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.7 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
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 Martin, 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 Martin, TN
This is one driving day of about 137.3 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Martin, 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 82.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 136.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 45E Business; SR 431 / University Street
Turn right onto US 45E Business; SR 431 / University Street
Navigation decision point
6
123.5 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
134.8 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
136.9 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
$21.47 one way
$42.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.57
$47.14
premium
$4.89
$26.42
$52.84
diesel
$5.61
$30.31
$60.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.2
0
$14.42
$6.59
Efficient EV
34.3
0
$12.01
$5.49
EV Truck/SUV
54.9
0
$19.22
$8.79
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Martin, TN
Morning
in Martin on Sunday
Local time
9:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Morning
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
9:16 AM
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
20 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
2h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate haul, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via University Street, Elm Street, and the Bradford Highway, keeping your focus sharp as you transition through various local corridors. Since there is no single long stretch of road—with the longest segment on University Street measuring 0 miles—you will find yourself constantly adjusting to changing turns and road conditions. This is a hands-on driving experience that requires more attention than a typical high-speed cruise.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Elm Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 45E Business; SR 431 / University Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 137.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 45E Business; SR 431 / University Street): Navigation decision point; at 123.5 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.6 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 Martin, 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 2h 44m. Total distance: 137.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.1 miles (US 45E Business; SR 431 / University Street): Navigation decision point; at 123.5 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Memphis, TN before heading back.
