Maynardville, TN to Memphis, TN is 413.8 miles and takes about 7h 43m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a route that is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. It’s a practical choice if you need to get from East Tennessee to the western part of the state efficiently.
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
206.9 miles from Maynardville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
384.2 mi
6h 59m
Maynardville Pike
8.7 mi
13m
Maynardville Highway
8.2 mi
12m
Knoxville Bypass
5.7 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
North Broadway
2.4 mi
4m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 384.2 mi, about 6h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maynardville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Main Street
157 ft·6 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Mulberry Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·Mulberry Avenue
3
Turn left onto SR 33; SR 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Maynardville Highway
4
Continue on SR 33; SR 61; SR 144
0.3 mi·27 sec·Main Street
5
Continue on SR 33; SR 61
5.4 mi·8 min·Maynardville Highway
6
Continue on SR 33
8.7 mi·13 min·Maynardville Pike
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 441
2.4 mi·4 min·North Broadway
8
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·58 sec
9
Merge onto I 640; US 25W
5.7 mi·6 min·Knoxville Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 40; I 75
17 mi·19 min·I 40; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
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
18
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.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 43m estimated driving time, departing early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for your two planned stops. The longest stretch on I 40 is 384.2 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps before embarking on that long segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $63, be sure to budget for this and any additional expenses. Since this is a single-day route, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.
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 206.9 miles from Maynardville, TN, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 384.2 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 91 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.9 miles or 3h 56m 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 36m
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 Maynardville, 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 Maynardville, TN
This is one driving day of about 413.8 miles and 7h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Maynardville, 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 384.2 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 42.8 and 413.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
42.8 mi into trip|~58m 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
197.6 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
199.7 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
400.1 mi into trip|~7h 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
8
413.3 mi into trip|~7h 42m 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
$61.11 one way
$122.22 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$67.46
$134.92
premium
$4.72
$76.83
$153.66
diesel
$4.80
$78.13
$156.27
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: 144.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.1
1
$43.45
$19.86
Efficient EV
103.5
1
$36.21
$16.55
EV Truck/SUV
165.5
2
$57.93
$26.48
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
48 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
Maynardville, TN
Late night
in Maynardville on Sunday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph6% 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
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
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
87°F
Lafayette, TN
207 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 43m 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 185.5
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 93% of your time on highways, with a significant 384.2-mile stretch on I 40. This means you’ll experience mostly highway cruising for the majority of the trip. Expect a substantial segment with fewer exits and more consistent speeds before transitioning to surface roads closer to your destination. The dense exit environment is likely to be present on I 40.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 384.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Maynardville Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.8 miles in near I 40.
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 16 significant decision points across 413.8 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 42.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,829 ft258 ft
Total Climb
1,631 ft
Total Descent
2,579 ft
Highest Point
1,829 ft
~88.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,571 ft
Notable High Points
1,829 ft at ~88.7 miles+827 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maynardville, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.
Nashville
42.8 mi in|~58m|via I 40
Louisville
200.8 mi in|~3h 49m|via I 40
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 43m. Total distance: 413.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 384.2 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 42.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.7 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 Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 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.
