This 431.4-mile journey from Memphis, TN to Morristown, TN, is planned for an estimated 8-hour drive. Primarily utilizing I-40, this highway-focused trip through Tennessee is best split over two days, given its length and the recommended stop count. With an estimated fuel cost of $67, it offers a straightforward transit across the state. The route is designed for efficiency, making it a practical option for those prioritizing reaching their destination without extensive detours. Consider this drive for its directness and ease of navigation.
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
215.7 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
392.9 mi
7h 10m
Andrew Johnson Highway
26.4 mi
33m
Asheville Highway
6 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
West Broadway Boulevard
1.4 mi
1m
West 1st North Street
0.8 mi
1m
US 25W
0.3 mi
<1m
North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 392.9 mi, about 7h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Morristown, 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
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.2 mi·11 min·I 40
11
Take the exit onto US 25W
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 25W
Toward US 11E, US 25W, US 70
12
Turn left onto US 11E; US 25W; US 70
6.0 mi·7 min·Asheville Highway
13
Turn straight onto US 11E
14 mi·15 min·Andrew Johnson Highway
14
Continue on US 11E; SR 92
1.4 mi·1 min·West Broadway Boulevard
15
Continue on US 11E
12 mi·17 min·Andrew Johnson Highway
16
Continue on SR 66
0.8 mi·1 min·West 1st North Street
17
Turn left onto North Henry Street
125 ft·5 sec·North Henry Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Henry Street
Trip Plan
For this 8-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours and minimize traffic. With two recommended stops, plan to break up the longest stretch on I-40 to rest and refuel. The estimated fuel cost of $67 makes budgeting straightforward, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially on the extended interstate portions. Splitting this into a two-day trip is advisable; look for lodging options around the halfway point of your longest stretch to ensure a balanced itinerary. Pay attention to your final approach on Andrew Johnson Highway and Asheville Highway for potential changes in speed limits and traffic patterns.
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 215.7 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 392.9 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 95 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 215.7 miles or 3h 57m 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 215.7 miles or 3h 57m
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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morristown, 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 216 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Morristown, TN
Aim for roughly 216 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 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 392.9 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 11
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
$71.72 one way
$143.45 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg151 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$78.13
$156.26
premium
$5.18
$88.03
$176.06
diesel
$5.35
$90.87
$181.73
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: 150.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
129.4
1
$45.30
$20.71
Efficient EV
107.9
1
$37.75
$17.26
EV Truck/SUV
172.6
2
$60.40
$27.61
Gas CO2
151 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.
Forecast as of Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in Memphis on Wednesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
NNE 5 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 6:07AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued June 2 at 3:43AM CDT until June 2 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Morristown, TN
Afternoon
in Morristown on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 6:07AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued June 2 at 3:43AM CDT until June 2 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
67°F
Baxter, TN
216 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.
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
6 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 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
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 238
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, with 91% of the drive on major roadways like I-40. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 392.9 miles on I-40, indicating extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily interstate, the route incorporates segments of Andrew Johnson Highway and Asheville Highway, suggesting a shift to more local thoroughfares as you approach your destination. This blend offers a progressive change in scenery and driving pace as you move across Tennessee.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 392.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Andrew Johnson 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 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 11 significant decision points across 431.4 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
2,003 ft258 ft
Total Climb
2,567 ft
Total Descent
1,527 ft
Highest Point
2,003 ft
~308.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,745 ft
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 Morristown, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
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
•National Civil Rights Museum — hotel that was site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., now a museum
Morristown is in Eastern Tennessee. Settled in the years just after the Revolutionary War, around 1787, Davy Crockett once lived here. Prior to the Civil Rights era, Morristown had one of the only two colleges in eastern Tennessee established for African Americans, called Morristown College. One newer development is the unique urban renewal design that was implemented for the town in the 1960s, with elevated sidewalks connecting city blocks downtown. The idea didn't really take off in terms of ushering in commerce, but it does have a peculiar look nonetheless.
Top landmarks
•Morristown College — former college in Morristown, Tennessee
•Morristown Main Street Historic District — historic district in Morristown, Tennessee
The longest stretch is about 392.9 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 216 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 40 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 Morristown, 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 40 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 — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Morristown, TN before the return drive.
