Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
239.1 mi
385 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
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
Gallatin, TN
Wikimedia Commons
This 239.1-mile drive from Memphis, TN to Gallatin, TN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 24 minutes on the road, covering a significant portion on I-40 before transitioning to other main roads like Vietnam Veterans Boulevard and I-65. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, it's an economical trip. The route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent driving experience. Its efficient design makes it ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
119.5 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 209.8 mi | 3h 49m |
| Vietnam Veterans Boulevard | 15 mi | 17m |
| I 65 | 9.1 mi | 11m |
| Long Hollow Pike | 2 mi | 2m |
| Downtown Loop | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Red River Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North B. B. King Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Gallatin, 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 left at fork
Continue on I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
Continue on I 65
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386
Continue on SR 665
Continue on TN 25
Continue on TN 25
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 4-hour and 24-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Memphis to avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a 209.8-mile stretch on I-40, plan your breaks strategically. The $37 fuel cost is manageable, but it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving Memphis. Keep an eye on the transitions between I-40, Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, and I-65, as these are your primary road changes. Since this is a comfortable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart and arrive at your convenience.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 53 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.5 miles or 2h 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 3h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gallatin, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 239.1 miles and 4h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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.
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 119.5 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 209.8 miles.
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 0.3 and 221.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 left at fork toward I 65 North: Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65 toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$37.38 one way
$74.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $41.04 | $82.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $46.01 | $92.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.79 | $105.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.11 | $11.48 |
| Efficient EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.92 | $9.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.47 | $15.30 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Night in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Gallatin on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
You'll find this drive to be predominantly highway, with 92% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 209.8 miles on I-40, meaning you can settle in for a significant period of consistent travel. This highway-focused profile suggests a smooth, albeit potentially monotonous, experience. As you progress, the transition from I-40 to Vietnam Veterans Boulevard and then I-65 will mark the main changes in your driving environment, but the overall character remains geared towards efficient travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Vietnam Veterans Boulevard. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 239.1 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 210.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Memphis, TN and Gallatin, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Louisville.
Knoxville
Louisville
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 239.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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