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Trip from Memphis, TN to Fairmount, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 33m

Distance

349.7 mi

563 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 21m ★
6 AM
6h 33m
8 AM
6h 57m
10 AM
6h 42m
12 PM
6h 39m
3 PM
6h 43m
5 PM
6h 56m
8 PM
6h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Shelby County, Tennessee, United States

Memphis, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fairmount, TN, TN

Fairmount, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

This 349.7-mile journey from Memphis, TN, to Fairmount, TN, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 6 hours and 33 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40, I-24, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, this route is heavily focused on highway travel, making it efficient for covering ground. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, it’s an economical option for a road trip within the Southeast region. The drive is straightforward, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, though planning for one scheduled break is recommended.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

174.8 miles from Memphis, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 178.5 mi 3h 15m
I 24 103.1 mi 1h 54m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway 52.2 mi 55m
Taft Highway 4.4 mi 6m
US 27 3.4 mi 4m
Signal Mountain Boulevard 3 mi 4m
Signal Mountain Road 1.6 mi 2m
Gahagan Road 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 178.5 mi, about 3h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Fairmount, 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

167 mi · 3 hr · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7

Merge onto I 840

52 mi · 55 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 24

103 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 184B Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
11

Continue on US 27

3.4 mi · 4 min · US 27
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward US 127 North: Signal Mountain
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 12 sec
14

Turn straight onto US 127

1.6 mi · 2 min · Signal Mountain Road
15

Continue on US 127

3.0 mi · 4 min · Signal Mountain Boulevard
16

Continue on US 127

4.4 mi · 6 min · Taft Highway
17

Turn right onto Gahagan Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Gahagan Road
18

At end of road, turn left onto Fairmount Pike

0.3 mi · 1 min · Fairmount Pike
19

Turn right onto North Fairmount Road

52 ft · 2 sec · North Fairmount Road
20

Arrive at destination

North Fairmount Road

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour 33-minute duration, starting your drive early in the morning from Memphis will allow you to arrive in Fairmount with daylight to spare. Plan for one significant stop to break up the 178.5-mile stretch on I-40. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach longer segments between services. The $55 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a small buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, the flexibility of leaving when you're ready is an advantage, but punctuality will maximize your enjoyment.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.8 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.5 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 77 miles or 1h 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 174.8 miles or 3h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmount, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Memphis, TN

This is one driving day of about 349.7 miles and 6h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Memphis, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 178.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Franklin, TN

175 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Franklin, TN to Fairmount, TN

142.4 mi · 2h 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Huntingdon, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dickson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 174.8 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 178.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Memphis, Tennessee

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19015523852

Visit website

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19015523852

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 25

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 231.8 — 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
5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
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
7
231.8 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in

Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.67 one way

$109.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 122 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $60.03 $120.05
premium $4.89 $67.30 $134.59
diesel $5.61 $77.21 $154.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 122.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 104.9 1 $36.72 $16.79
Efficient EV 87.4 0 $30.60 $13.99
EV Truck/SUV 139.9 1 $48.96 $22.38

Gas CO2

122 kg

EV CO2

41 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

Night in Memphis on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairmount, TN

Night in Fairmount on Saturday

Local time

10:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°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.

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

28 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

6h 33m 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

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 229.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for 96% of this trip, meaning you'll be on well-maintained interstates for the vast majority of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 178.5 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the route is primarily interstate, the inclusion of Tennessee National Guard Parkway may offer slight variations in the driving experience as you progress. This road profile suggests a focus on reaching your destination efficiently rather than a winding, scenic exploration.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.5 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 24. 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 14 significant decision points across 349.7 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 0.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Memphis, TN to Fairmount, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.

Franklin

178.9 mi in | ~3h 16m

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 349.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 178.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Fairmount, 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 1 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 0.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fairmount, 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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