Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h
Distance
431.4 mi
694 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$67
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
Morristown, TN
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Morristown, 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 right at fork
Merge onto I 40; I 65
Continue on I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit onto US 25W
Turn left onto US 11E; US 25W; US 70
Turn straight onto US 11E
Continue on US 11E; SR 92
Continue on US 11E
Continue on SR 66
Turn left onto North Henry Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
216 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 Lafayette, TNNight 1
216 mi · about 4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Lafayette, TN after about 216 miles or 4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 95 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 215.7 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 392.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 216 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.
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.
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
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 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
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
Regular Gas
$67.44 one way
$134.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $74.05 | $148.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $83.02 | $166.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $95.25 | $190.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Morristown on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
74°F
Lafayette, 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Huntsville
Louisville
Knoxville
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Memphis, TN or browse trips ending in Morristown, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
