Origin
Memphis, TN
Evening in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 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
$77
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
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
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Banner Hill, TN.
Start on Poplar Avenue
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 40; I 65
Continue on I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 11E
Turn right onto SR 107
Continue on SR 107
Continue on SR 107
Continue on SR 81; SR 107
Turn right onto North Main Avenue
Turn slight left onto Love Street
Turn right onto Carolina Avenue
Turn left onto Washington Street
Turn right onto Adam Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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 Monticello, KYNight 1
246 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Monticello, KY after about 246 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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.
5 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.
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 40 East
Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$76.93 one way
$153.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $84.47 | $168.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $94.70 | $189.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $108.65 | $217.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Banner Hill on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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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.
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.
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.
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
Louisville
Knoxville
Chattanooga
Greeneville
Bulls Gap
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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