Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Memphis, TN to Banner Hill, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 14m
Distance
492.1 mi
792 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$82
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 6m
★
6 AM
9h 14m
8 AM
9h 31m
10 AM
9h 20m
12 PM
9h 18m
3 PM
9h 21m
5 PM
9h 30m
8 PM
9h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Banner Hill, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Memphis to Banner Hill is 492.1 miles and takes about 9h 14m via I 40, I 81, and West Andrew Johnson Highway, with a fuel budget near $77 and an overnight pace recommended. This highway-focused journey begins in the Southeast region of Tennessee and stays within the state, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended two-day drive, you'll have ample time to break up the nearly 500 miles into manageable segments. Consider this route if you prefer efficient travel primarily on major highways with minimal detours.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
246.1 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 420.4 mi | 7h 39m |
| I 81 | 22.7 mi | 24m |
| West Andrew Johnson Highway | 18 mi | 21m |
| Governor John Sevier Highway | 11.3 mi | 16m |
| SR 81 | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Erwin Highway | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Tusculum Bypass | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 420.4 mi, about 7h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Banner Hill, TN.
1
Start on Poplar Avenue
190 ft
·
11 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
2
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North B. B. King Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 40 East
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 40
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
198 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi
·
3 hr 9 min
·
I 40
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 11E: Mosheim, Greeneville, Bulls Gap
13
Turn right onto US 11E
18 mi
·
21 min
·
West Andrew Johnson Highway
14
Turn right onto SR 107
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tusculum Bypass
15
Continue on SR 107
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Erwin Highway
16
Continue on SR 107
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Governor John Sevier Highway
17
Continue on SR 81; SR 107
6.9 mi
·
10 min
·
SR 81; SR 107
18
Turn right onto North Main Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn slight left onto Love Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Love Street
20
Turn right onto Carolina Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Carolina Avenue
21
Turn left onto Washington Street
236 ft
·
10 sec
·
Washington Street
22
Turn right onto Adam Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
Adam Street
23
Arrive at destination
Adam Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 14m duration and 492.1-mile distance, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize driving time. With two recommended days, you can comfortably split the drive, perhaps stopping around the halfway point or where you find convenient accommodations. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 420.4-mile stretch on I 40, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. Ensure you have enough fuel for this long segment to avoid any unexpected delays.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 246.1 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 4h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 420.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.1 miles or 4h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 246.1 miles or 4h 30m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Banner Hill, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Memphis, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Banner Hill, TN
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Memphis, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 420.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
246 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Baxter, TNOvernight Options
Night 1
246 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Baxter, TN after about 246 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 246.1 miles from Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 420.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 246 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
I-81 Jefferson County West
0.1 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 East Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Jefferson County I-40 East Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Tennessee Visitor Center
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 West Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Eco Travel Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Bay 2
1.2 mi from route
Bay 4
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 213.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North B. B. King Boulevard
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 40 East
8
12.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
9
210.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
213.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.82 one way
$163.63 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
172 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $89.12 | $178.24 |
| premium | $5.18 | $100.42 | $200.83 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $103.65 | $207.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 147.6 | 1 | $51.67 | $23.62 |
| Efficient EV | 123 | 1 | $43.06 | $19.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 196.8 | 2 | $68.89 | $31.49 |
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
58 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.
Origin
Memphis, TN
Afternoon in Memphis on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Banner Hill, TN
Afternoon in Banner Hill on Wednesday
Local time
4:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
67°F
Baxter, TN
246 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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
9h 14m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 237.6
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 407.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 91% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 40 and I 81, experiencing a largely uninterrupted highway pace. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is a considerable 420.4 miles on I 40. While primarily interstate, the final portion incorporates West Andrew Johnson Highway, offering a slight shift in scenery and driving experience as you approach your destination.
91% 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: 420.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North B. B. King Boulevard.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 492.1 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: near the start (North B. B. King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,888 ft
258 ft
Total Climb
2,874 ft
Total Descent
1,456 ft
Highest Point
1,888 ft
~316.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,629 ft
Notable High Points
1,888 ft at ~316.4 miles
+828 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Memphis, TN and Banner Hill, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Greeneville and Bulls Gap.
Huntsville
210.2 mi in
|
~3h 50m
Louisville
212.9 mi in
|
~3h 53m
|
via I 40
Knoxville
212.9 mi in
|
~3h 53m
|
via I 40
Chattanooga
212.9 mi in
|
~3h 53m
|
via I 40
Greeneville
446.6 mi in
|
~8h 9m
Bulls Gap
446.6 mi in
|
~8h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Memphis, TN
Full guide →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
Arriving in Banner Hill, TN
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 420.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 246 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 47 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 Banner Hill, 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 47 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North B. B. King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 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 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Banner Hill, TN before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Explore more options from Memphis, TN or browse trips ending in Banner Hill, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.