Memphis to Plainview is 249.1 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 40 and I 24, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. Given its mostly highway profile, it’s a straightforward drive designed for efficiency. It’s a good option if you need to get from one point to another within the state without much fuss.
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
124.5 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
178.5 mi
3h 15m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
I 24
13.5 mi
14m
Epps Mill Road
1.3 mi
3m
Plainview Road
1.3 mi
3m
North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Poplar Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Plainview, 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
167 mi·3 hr·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 24
14 mi·14 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 89Toward Buchanan, Epps Mill RoadUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn slight right onto Epps Mill Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Epps Mill Road
12
Continue on Epps Mill Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Epps Mill Road
13
Turn left onto Plainview Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Plainview Road
14
Arrive at destination
Plainview Road
Trip Plan
Consider departing Memphis in the morning to take full advantage of the 4.5-hour drive time and arrive in Plainview with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and 98% highway driving, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 178.5-mile stretch on I 40, as services can be spread out. Planning to refuel before leaving Memphis or shortly after getting on I 40 would be a prudent move.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.5 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.5 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plainview, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 249.1 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Memphis, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 178.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 246.2 — 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
7
231.8 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
246.2 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward Buchanan, Epps Mill Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 89
Toward Buchanan, Epps Mill Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.79 one way
$73.57 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.61
$81.22
premium
$4.72
$46.25
$92.50
diesel
$4.80
$47.03
$94.07
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: 87.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.16
$11.96
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.80
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.87
$15.94
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 13, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
N 0 to 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 12 at 8:45PM EDT until July 12 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 12 at 3:07PM EDT until July 13 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Plainview, TN
Late night
in Plainview on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Areas Of Fog
0 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 12 at 8:45PM EDT until July 12 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 12 at 3:07PM EDT until July 13 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
90°F
Waverly, TN
125 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 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
4h 37m on the road
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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 231.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend 98% of your time on highways like I 40 and I 24. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 178.5 miles on I 40, indicating a significant period of high-speed cruising. The transition to surface roads, if any, will likely occur near your destination, after the main highway segments conclude. The dense network of exits on the interstate will be a constant feature.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 249.1 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
Mostly flat terrain
899 ft258 ft
Total Climb
763 ft
Total Descent
319 ft
Highest Point
899 ft
~195.7 mi in
Elevation Range
640 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Memphis, TN to Plainview, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 249.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Plainview, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 20 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Plainview, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
