Maryville, TN to Smyrna, TN is 296.3 miles and takes about 5h 46m via I 40 and West Lamar Alexander Parkway, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traveling entirely within Tennessee. You'll find yourself on primarily highway for most of this drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points without needing an overnight stay.
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
148.2 miles from Maryville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
234.6 mi
4h 14m
West Lamar Alexander Parkway
26.1 mi
35m
US 641
13.7 mi
15m
US 70
9.4 mi
14m
SR 114
4.1 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi
6m
Smyrna Road
2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 234.6 mi, about 4h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maryville, TN and Smyrna, TN.
1
Start on US 411
0.5 mi·1 min·East Broadway Avenue
2
Turn slight right onto US 321
26 mi·35 min·West Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 40
150 mi·2 hr 41 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 126Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
11
Keep slight right at fork
192 ft·4 sec
12
Merge onto US 641
14 mi·15 min·US 641
13
Turn left onto US 70
1.6 mi·2 min·US 70
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
7.8 mi·11 min·US 70
15
Turn left onto SR 114
4.1 mi·7 min·SR 114
16
Turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi·6 min·Buena Vista Road
17
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2.0 mi·7 min·Smyrna Road
18
Turn right onto Buck Ditch Road
58 ft·2 sec·Buck Ditch Road
19
Arrive at destination
Buck Ditch Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5 hour and 46 minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Maryville to avoid any potential traffic. Since the majority of this route is highway, you can cover a lot of ground efficiently. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you approach the 234.6-mile stretch on I 40, as services can be more spread out on longer highway segments.
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 148.2 miles from Maryville, TN, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.6 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 65 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.2 miles or 2h 47m 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 31m
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 Maryville, 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 Maryville, TN
This is one driving day of about 296.3 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Maryville, 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 234.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.6 and 264.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26.6 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
9
177.2 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
179.4 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
182.7 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
6
264.4 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.43 one way
$98.85 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$53.72
$107.44
premium
$5.26
$61.35
$122.70
diesel
$6.18
$72.08
$144.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.9
1
$31.11
$14.22
Efficient EV
74.1
0
$25.93
$11.85
EV Truck/SUV
118.5
1
$41.48
$18.96
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Maryville, TN
Night
in Maryville on Monday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Smyrna, TN
Evening
in Smyrna on Monday
Local time
8:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
0 mph0% 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
3 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 46m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 163.5
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 97% of this route on highways, you'll spend nearly all your time on the interstate. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 234.6 miles on I 40. You'll transition to West Lamar Alexander Parkway and US 641 later in the drive, which will feel like a noticeable shift from the interstate cruising. Expect a relatively uninterrupted drive with frequent exits on the highway portions.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 234.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and West Lamar Alexander Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.6 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 296.3 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 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,991 ft385 ft
Total Climb
1,553 ft
Total Descent
1,976 ft
Highest Point
1,991 ft
~86.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,607 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maryville, TN and Smyrna, TN, road signs point toward Memphis, Louisville, Paris and Parsons.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 296.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m 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 234.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 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.
