Memphis to Rocky Top is 386.6 miles and takes about 7h 20m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Tennessee drive stays within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward trip. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, best suited for those who prefer covering distance efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive time, you can expect to arrive in Rocky Top with plenty of daylight left, assuming you depart Memphis in the morning. Factor in a couple of planned stops to break up the 7-hour journey.
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
193.3 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
346.8 mi
6h 18m
Harriman Highway
9.6 mi
10m
Briceville Highway
9 mi
18m
Frost Bottom Road
7.2 mi
12m
US 27
6.8 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
West Tri County Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
East Spring Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 346.8 mi, about 6h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Rocky Top, 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
137 mi·2 hr 28 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
11
Keep slight right at fork
335 ft·8 sec
12
Merge onto US 27
6.8 mi·7 min·US 27
13
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
14
Continue on SR 61
1.2 mi·1 min·West Tri County Boulevard
15
Turn right onto SR 330
447 ft·10 sec·Winter Gap Road
16
Turn left onto SR 330
0.2 mi·23 sec·Railroad Avenue
17
Continue on SR 330
0.1 mi·16 sec·Main Street
18
Turn left onto SR 330
0.6 mi·1 min·East Spring Street
19
Continue on SR 330
0.5 mi·1 min·Walden Avenue
20
Continue on SR 330
0.4 mi·49 sec·Dutch Valley Road
21
Turn left onto SR 330
7.2 mi·12 min·Frost Bottom Road
22
Continue on SR 116
5.2 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
23
Continue on SR 116
234 ft·6 sec·Briceville Highway
24
Continue on SR 116
3.8 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
25
At end of road, turn right onto US 25W
0.3 mi·43 sec·Main Street
26
Turn right onto 4th Street
14 ft·0 sec·4th Street
27
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 20m duration, an early morning departure from Memphis is recommended to maximize daylight for your arrival in Rocky Top. You'll have about 386.6 miles to cover, with only two recommended stops, so plan these strategically. The longest stretch on I 40 is substantial at 346.8 miles, so ensure you're well-rested before embarking. With a fuel cost estimate around $60, keep an eye on your gauge, especially before entering longer stretches where services might be less frequent. A concrete tip: utilize the rest areas along I 40 for quick breaks, as they are spaced consistently.
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 193.3 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 346.8 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 193.3 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rocky Top, 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 386.6 miles and 7h 20m.
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 346.8 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 18
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
$64.28 one way
$128.55 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$70.01
$140.03
premium
$5.18
$78.89
$157.78
diesel
$5.35
$81.43
$162.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116
1
$40.59
$18.56
Efficient EV
96.7
1
$33.83
$15.46
EV Truck/SUV
154.6
1
$54.12
$24.74
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in Memphis on Wednesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rocky Top, TN
Afternoon
in Rocky Top on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph6% 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
9 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
7h 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a highway-focused drive, with a 91% highway share, meaning you'll spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 346.8 miles, almost entirely on I 40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the core of the journey is on the interstate, it transitions to local roads like Harriman Highway and Briceville Highway as you approach your destination, offering a slight change of pace. The drive is characterized by its directness rather than winding scenic byways.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 346.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman 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 18 significant decision points across 386.6 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
1,865 ft258 ft
Total Climb
2,085 ft
Total Descent
1,473 ft
Highest Point
1,865 ft
~303.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,607 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 Rocky Top, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Rockwood.
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
Rocky Top (formerly known as Coal Creek or Lake City) is a town in Tennessee. In 2014, it was renamed after the popular southern folk song, Rocky Top. In 2020, it was home to about 1600 people.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 20m. Total distance: 386.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 346.8 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 Rocky Top, 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 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 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rocky Top, TN before the return drive.
