Mascot, TN to Memphis, TN is 403.9 miles and takes about 7h 27m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its mostly highway profile, this drive is straightforward and efficient, making it a good option for a single-day trip. Plan for a relatively quick transit, focusing on covering ground comfortably.
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
201.9 miles from Mascot, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
391.3 mi
7h 8m
Rutledge Pike
6.4 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Mascot Pike
2 mi
4m
Old Rutledge Pike
0.5 mi
1m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Poplar Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Thomastown Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 391.3 mi, about 7h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mascot, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Thomastown Road
158 ft·8 sec·Thomastown Road
2
Turn left onto Mascot Pike
2.0 mi·4 min·Mascot Pike
3
Continue on Old Rutledge Pike
0.5 mi·1 min·Old Rutledge Pike
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 11W
6.4 mi·7 min·Rutledge Pike
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
24 mi·27 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
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
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Mascot to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only 2 recommended stops and a long stretch on I 40, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the 391.3-mile highway segment means you'll need to plan your last fill-up strategically. The flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your pace as needed, but aiming to arrive in Memphis before dark is advisable.
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 201.9 miles from Mascot, TN, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 391.3 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 89 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.9 miles or 3h 46m 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 19m
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 Mascot, 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 Mascot, TN
This is one driving day of about 403.9 miles and 7h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Mascot, 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 391.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.9 and 403.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
32.9 mi into trip|~42m 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
187.7 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
189.9 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
390.2 mi into trip|~7h 10m 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
403.4 mi into trip|~7h 26m 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
$59.65 one way
$119.29 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$65.85
$131.70
premium
$4.72
$74.99
$149.98
diesel
$4.80
$76.26
$152.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.2
1
$42.41
$19.39
Efficient EV
101
1
$35.34
$16.16
EV Truck/SUV
161.6
2
$56.55
$25.85
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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
Mascot, TN
Evening
in Mascot on Sunday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 16 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Memphis, TN
Evening
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
6:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 16 at 10:30PM 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
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 27m 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 167.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 97% of this 403.9-mile trip on the highway, primarily on I 40. The longest continuous stretch on I 40 spans 391.3 miles, indicating extended periods of cruising. Rutledge Pike and the Downtown Loop account for the remaining surface road miles. Expect frequent exits and traffic merging as you transition between these road types.
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: 391.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Rutledge Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.9 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 16 significant decision points across 403.9 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 32.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,893 ft258 ft
Total Climb
1,600 ft
Total Descent
2,208 ft
Highest Point
1,893 ft
~86.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,634 ft
Notable High Points
1,893 ft at ~86.5 miles+634 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mascot, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.
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 27m. Total distance: 403.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 391.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 39 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 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.9 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 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.
