Memphis to Springfield is 238.3 miles and takes about 4h 23m via I 40 and I 24, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the western part of the state to the central region. With over 90% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient transit. It's a manageable single-day trip, making it a good option for a quick move or a dedicated travel day.
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
119.2 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
209.8 mi
3h 49m
I 24
9.6 mi
10m
Tom Austin Highway
7.5 mi
8m
Whites Creek Pike
4.9 mi
5m
I 65
2.1 mi
2m
Downtown Loop
1.7 mi
2m
Memorial Boulevard
1.3 mi
1m
North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 209.8 mi, about 3h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Springfield, 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 left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Exit 208BToward I 65 North: LouisvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 65
1.7 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
2.1 mi·2 min·I 65
Exit 86AToward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 24
9.6 mi·10 min·I 24
Exit 88Toward I 24 West: ClarksvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 35Toward US 431: Springfield, Joelton
11
Turn right onto US 431
4.9 mi·5 min·Whites Creek Pike
12
Continue on US 431
7.5 mi·8 min·Tom Austin Highway
13
Turn left onto US 41; US 431
1.3 mi·1 min·Memorial Boulevard
14
Turn left onto TN 49
0.2 mi·22 sec·East 5th Avenue
15
Turn left onto South Main Street
45 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 23m drive, leaving Memphis in the morning should get you to Springfield with plenty of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you don't need to worry about overnight accommodations. The longest stretch without a major change in direction is 209.8 miles on I 40, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before you hit that long segment. Keep an eye on traffic around major interchanges, as they can sometimes cause delays. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected slowdowns.
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 119.2 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.8 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.2 miles or 2h 11m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, 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 238.3 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 209.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 212.3 — 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
8
210.2 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208B
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
9
212.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65 toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 86A
Toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Loui...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.19 one way
$70.38 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.85
$77.70
premium
$4.72
$44.24
$88.49
diesel
$4.80
$45.00
$89.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.5
0
$25.02
$11.44
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.85
$9.53
EV Truck/SUV
95.3
1
$33.36
$15.25
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Springfield, TN
Late night
in Springfield on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph25% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 238.3 miles on major interstates like I 40 and I 24. You'll experience a long stretch of 209.8 miles on I 40 before transitioning to other highways. Expect dense exits and merges as you navigate these main arteries for the majority of your travel time. The final 7% of the route, on Tom Austin Highway, will likely feel more rural.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.8 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 238.3 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
769 ft258 ft
Total Climb
862 ft
Total Descent
454 ft
Highest Point
769 ft
~187.3 mi in
Elevation Range
511 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 Springfield, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Louisville and Joelton.
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 23m. Total distance: 238.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Springfield, 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 27 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
