Memphis to Madisonville is 385.7 miles and takes about 7h 28m via I 40 and SR 68, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee, making it a straightforward journey. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, meaning you'll cover a lot of ground efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path with minimal complexity, suitable for a single day of travel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
192.9 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
316.5 mi
5h 44m
SR 68
42.8 mi
1h 3m
Watts Bar Highway
10 mi
13m
North Main Street
7.6 mi
11m
New Lake Road
3.4 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
Warren Street
1 mi
1m
Piccadilly Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 316.5 mi, about 5h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Madisonville, 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 EastUse 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, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse 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; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 317Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
11
Turn straight onto US 127
7.6 mi·11 min·North Main Street
12
Continue on SR 68
20 mi·30 min·SR 68
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
0.1 mi·12 sec·Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Piccadilly Avenue
0.5 mi·55 sec·Piccadilly Avenue
15
Continue on SR 302
3.4 mi·6 min·New Lake Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto SR 68; SR 302
10 mi·13 min·Watts Bar Highway
17
Enter roundabout
128 ft·2 sec
18
Continue
38 ft·1 sec
19
Turn slight right onto SR 68
23 mi·33 min·SR 68
20
Turn left onto Warren Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Warren Street
21
Turn right onto College Street South
8 ft·0 sec·College Street South
22
Arrive at destination
College Street South
Trip Plan
With a total duration of around 7.5 hours, this route is best tackled in a single day. Leaving Memphis in the morning should give you ample daylight to reach Madisonville. Plan for about 2 stops to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest stretch on I 40 is over 300 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Madisonville, and take advantage of the 2 planned stops to fill up. The highway share of 93% means you can maintain a consistent speed, but be aware of potential traffic near larger towns along I 40.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 192.9 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 316.5 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 85 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.9 miles or 3h 31m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madisonville, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 385.7 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Memphis, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 316.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 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
$60.30 one way
$120.60 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$66.21
$132.41
premium
$4.89
$74.22
$148.45
diesel
$5.61
$85.16
$170.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.7
1
$40.50
$18.51
Efficient EV
96.4
1
$33.75
$15.43
EV Truck/SUV
154.3
1
$54.00
$24.68
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TN
Night
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madisonville, TN
Late night
in Madisonville on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
77°F
Lebanon, TN
193 mi in
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
30 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
7h 28m 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
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 226.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on major roads like I 40. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch for 316.5 miles on I 40, offering a consistent pace for much of the drive. The route transitions to SR 68 and Watts Bar Highway later on, which may offer a change of scenery and driving feel. Expect a steady, efficient journey with most of your time spent on well-maintained highways.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 316.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and SR 68. 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 Effort8/10
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 385.7 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 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 Madisonville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Jamestown.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 28m. Total distance: 385.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 316.5 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 Madisonville, 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Madisonville, TN before the return drive.
