Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Memphis, TN to Gatlinburg, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 3m
Distance
428.9 mi
690 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$72
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 55m
★
6 AM
8h 3m
8 AM
8h 20m
10 AM
8h 9m
12 PM
8h 7m
3 PM
8h 10m
5 PM
8h 19m
8 PM
7h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Gatlinburg, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Memphis to Gatlinburg is 428.9 miles and takes about 8h 3m via I 40 and Parkway, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This trip stays within Tennessee, traveling from the western part of the state to the eastern edge. Expect a predominantly highway drive that transitions to more scenic surface roads as you approach the mountains. It's a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward drive with a clear destination in mind.
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
214.4 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 386.5 mi | 7h 2m |
| Chapman Highway | 22.1 mi | 26m |
| Parkway | 8.3 mi | 15m |
| Gatlinburg Spur Road | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Henley Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Forks of the River Parkway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 386.5 mi, about 7h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Gatlinburg, 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
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
13
Continue on US 441
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 441; SR 33
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Chapman Highway
15
Continue on US 411; US 441
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
16
Turn right onto US 441
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
Forks of the River Parkway
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto Parkway
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Parkway
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 321; US 441
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Gatlinburg Spur Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 321; US 441
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Parkway
20
Turn right
408 ft
·
30 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour driving time, this trip is best split over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to leave Memphis in the morning, giving you ample time to cover a significant portion of I 40 before stopping for the night. The longest stretch without a major road change is 386.5 miles on I 40, so plan your overnight stop before you get too deep into that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition off the interstate, and factor in the $68 fuel cost for your budget. Having two planned stops allows for comfortable breaks and exploration.
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 214.4 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 386.5 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 94 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 214.4 miles or 3h 55m 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 214.4 miles or 3h 55m
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 6h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gatlinburg, 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 214 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Gatlinburg, TN
Aim for roughly 214 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 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 386.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
214 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 Algood, TNOvernight Options
Night 1
214 mi · about 4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Algood, TN after about 214 miles or 4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 214.4 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 386.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 214 miles or 4 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
Cumberland County I-40 West Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 East Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
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
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
Tennessee Visitor Center
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
Service Plaza
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
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Eco Travel Plaza
0.3 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
Service Plaza
1.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 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
$71.55 one way
$143.09 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
150 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $77.76 | $155.52 |
| premium | $5.26 | $88.80 | $177.61 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $104.34 | $208.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 150.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.7 | 1 | $45.03 | $20.59 |
| Efficient EV | 107.2 | 1 | $37.53 | $17.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171.6 | 2 | $60.05 | $27.45 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (67% 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
Late night in Memphis on Monday
Local time
4:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
ESE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Gatlinburg, TN
Late night in Gatlinburg on Monday
Local time
5:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
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
27 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
8h 3m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 428.9
Park Closure: Abrams Falls Trail Closed
Park Closure: Park Headquarters Road is closed
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 236.6
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 mostly highway, with 92% of the 428.9 miles on interstates like I 40. You'll encounter a long stretch of 386.5 miles solely on I 40, which means plenty of consistent cruising. The highway portion will likely feel like a steady pace with frequent exits for services. As you near Gatlinburg, expect the character to shift from the interstate to Chapman Highway and then Parkway, which are surface roads with more local traffic and potentially denser development.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 386.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Chapman Highway. 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 428.9 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
1,932 ft
258 ft
Total Climb
2,491 ft
Total Descent
1,468 ft
Highest Point
1,932 ft
~306.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,673 ft
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 Gatlinburg, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Convention Center and Tennessee History Center - among others.
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
Convention Center
390.1 mi in
|
~7h 7m
Tennessee History Center
390.1 mi in
|
~7h 7m
Museum Of Art
390.1 mi in
|
~7h 7m
About the Cities
Starting in Memphis, TN
Full guide →Founded 1819
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
- • Memphis Zoo — non-profit organization in the US
Arriving in Gatlinburg, TN
Full guide →Gatlinburg is a resort town located in eastern Tennessee. It is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Downtown Gatlinburg may come as somewhat of a shock for those on their way to a nature getaway in the national park — from the Space Needle to the amusement rides, the town hasn't necessarily chosen to embrace its "nature" side. That said, there is plenty of lodging, restaurants, and other amenities to make this town a useful base for exploring the park.
Top landmarks
- • Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts — Arts and Crafts center in the U.S. city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 386.5 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 214 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 42 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 Gatlinburg, 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 42 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 — Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gatlinburg, 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.
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