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Trip from Memphis, TN to Banner Hill, TN

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
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.

city in and county seat of Shelby County, Tennessee, United States

Memphis, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Banner Hill, TN, TN

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.

Downtown Monticello, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Monticello, KY

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, KY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Monticello, KY

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 hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Mount Carmel, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

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 check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 420.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

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.

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

$76.93 one way

$153.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 172 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Memphis, TN

Evening in Memphis on Saturday

Local time

8:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Banner Hill, TN

Night in Banner Hill on Saturday

Local time

9:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live 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.

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

17 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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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