Memphis to Tazewell is 435.2 miles and takes about 8h 16m via I 40 and Maynardville Highway, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from the western part of the state to the eastern mountains. For a drive of this length, you'll want to consider splitting it over two days to make it more relaxed. You'll primarily be on the interstate for the bulk of the journey, so expect a fairly direct path with limited complexity.
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
217.6 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
383.6 mi
6h 58m
Maynardville Highway
16.7 mi
24m
Highway 33 South
10.1 mi
15m
Maynardville Pike
8.7 mi
13m
Knoxville Bypass
6.3 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
South Broad Street
2.8 mi
4m
North Broadway
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 383.6 mi, about 6h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Tazewell, 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
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
6.3 mi·7 min·Knoxville Bypass
Exit 385Toward I 75 North, I 640 East: LexingtonUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 441: Old Broadway, BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 441
2.7 mi·4 min·North Broadway
13
Continue on US 441
8.7 mi·13 min·Maynardville Pike
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on SR 33
5.4 mi·8 min·Maynardville Highway
15
Continue on SR 33; SR 61; SR 144
0.3 mi·27 sec·Main Street
16
Continue on SR 33; SR 61
11 mi·16 min·Maynardville Highway
17
Continue on SR 33
10 mi·15 min·Highway 33 South
18
Continue on SR 33
2.8 mi·4 min·South Broad Street
19
Turn left onto Montgomery Street
235 ft·12 sec·Montgomery Street
20
Turn right onto Main Street
196 ft·8 sec·Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 16m estimated drive time, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to leave Memphis early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you decide to tackle it in one go. If you're splitting the drive, consider stopping around the halfway point or a bit further along I 40 to break up the 383.6-mile interstate segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you approach the end of the interstate section, as services might become less frequent on Maynardville Highway and Highway 33 South.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 217.6 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 383.6 miles.
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 96 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 217.6 miles or 3h 59m 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 217.6 miles or 3h 59m
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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tazewell, 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.
+
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 218 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Tazewell, TN
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Memphis, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 383.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 387.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
9
387.2 mi into trip|~7h 4m in|I 75 / Knoxville Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 / Knoxville Bypass toward I 75 North, I 640 East: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 385
Toward I 75 North, I 640 East: Lexington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.36 one way
$144.71 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$78.82
$157.63
premium
$5.18
$88.80
$177.61
diesel
$5.35
$91.67
$183.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.6
1
$45.70
$20.89
Efficient EV
108.8
1
$38.08
$17.41
EV Truck/SUV
174.1
2
$60.93
$27.85
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (66% 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
2:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 0 to 5 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued June 1 at 6:26PM CDT until June 1 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Tazewell, TN
Afternoon
in Tazewell on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
N 0 to 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued June 1 at 6:26PM CDT until June 1 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
67°F
Baxter, TN
218 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
14 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
8h 16m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 435.2
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 225.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of the 435.2 miles on major roads. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 383.6 miles on I 40 before transitioning to Maynardville Highway and Highway 33 South. Expect the highway feel to continue for most of your trip, with the shift to surface roads happening relatively late in the drive. The dense network of exits on the interstate will be a constant feature until you begin your final approach.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 383.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Maynardville Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
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 12 significant decision points across 435.2 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: 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; at 210.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,973 ft258 ft
Total Climb
2,428 ft
Total Descent
1,328 ft
Highest Point
1,973 ft
~310.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,715 ft
Notable High Points
1,973 ft at ~310.8 miles+533 ft prominence
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 Tazewell, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Broadway.
Huntsville
210.2 mi in|~3h 50m
Louisville
212.9 mi in|~3h 53m|via I 40
Knoxville
212.9 mi in|~3h 53m|via I 40
Chattanooga
212.9 mi in|~3h 53m|via I 40
Broadway
393.5 mi in|~7h 11m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
The longest stretch is about 383.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 218 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 39 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 Tazewell, 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 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 210.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tazewell, TN before the return drive.
