Memphis to Red Bank is 342.2 miles and takes about 6h 20m via I 40 and I 24, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the western part of the state to the eastern side. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, so plan accordingly if you prefer more scenic or meandering routes. This itinerary is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency.
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
171.1 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
178.5 mi
3h 15m
I 24
103.1 mi
1h 54m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
US 27
3.1 mi
4m
Dayton Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Poplar Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Euclid Avenue West
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,972 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,410
Quietest
2 AM
~353 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Red Bank, 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
103 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
11
Continue on US 27
3.1 mi·4 min·US 27
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward Red Bank
13
Turn straight onto Dayton Boulevard
2.5 mi·4 min·Dayton Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue West
88 ft·3 sec·Euclid Avenue West
15
Arrive at destination
Euclid Avenue West
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 20m drive, consider leaving Memphis in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire trip. The fuel cost is estimated at around $54, so factor that into your budget. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a brief refueling break or a longer meal stop. The 178.5-mile stretch on I 40 is the longest continuous section, so plan your breaks accordingly to avoid fatigue. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.1 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 7m 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 75 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 3h 7m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Bank, 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 342.2 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 231.8 — 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
5
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.08 one way
$114.17 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$62.28
$124.57
premium
$5.25
$70.77
$141.54
diesel
$6.28
$84.55
$169.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
EV Charging Along Route
32 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Jackson, TN - Tesla Supercharger
Jackson, TN
Tesla
24 DCFC
Memphis, TN - South Highland Street - Tesla Supercharger
Memphis, TN
Tesla
16 DCFC
Memphis, TN - Tesla Supercharger
Memphis, TN
Tesla
16 DCFC
Memphis, TN - North Germantown Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.7
1
$35.93
$16.43
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.94
$13.69
EV Truck/SUV
136.9
1
$47.91
$21.90
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Friday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Red Bank, TN
Late night
in Red Bank on Friday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive 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.
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
6h 20m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 98% highway, with the longest stretch being 178.5 miles on I 40. You'll encounter the majority of your exits and potential slowdowns on I 40 as you move east. Expect a fairly continuous highway experience for nearly the entire 342.2 miles. Surface roads only become a factor in the final stretch into Red Bank.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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 I 24. 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 11 significant decision points across 342.2 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 0.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,909 ft258 ft
Total Climb
2,061 ft
Total Descent
1,590 ft
Highest Point
1,909 ft
~293.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,651 ft
Notable High Points
1,909 ft at ~293.3 miles+852 ft prominence
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 Red Bank, 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
Red Bank is a hip city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in the United States. It is the Garden State's answer to Greenwich Village. Red Bank is famous for being the home of legendary big band leader Count Basie and the stomping grounds of celebrities Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and raunchy filmmaker Kevin Smith. Several of Kevin Smith's movies are set or filmed in Red Bank, most notably Chasing Amy and the TV series Comic Book Men. In 2012, Smithsonian Magazine listed Red Bank as the 3rd best small town in America, citing its numerous theaters, galleries, and art festivals.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 20m. Total distance: 342.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 34 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 Red Bank, 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 34 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 0.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Red Bank, TN before the return drive.
