Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
237.8 mi
383 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Unionville, TN
Andy Staver
This straightforward 237.8-mile drive from Memphis, TN, to Unionville, TN, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 27 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and Shelbyville Highway, this route offers a convenient transit through the Southeast region. With a projected fuel cost of around $37, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The drive is mostly highway, making it efficient for reaching your destination without extensive stops, though you might consider one planned break along the way. It’s a practical choice if you’re looking for a direct journey within Tennessee.
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
118.9 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 178.5 mi | 3h 15m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 41.1 mi | 44m |
| Shelbyville Highway | 13.9 mi | 20m |
| Horton Highway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| North B. B. King Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Halls Mill Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Unionville, TN.
Start on Poplar Avenue
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Merge onto I 840
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 31A; US 41A
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41A
Turn right onto Halls Mill Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour, 27-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Memphis in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. While the drive is predominantly highway, plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, especially considering the longest stretch is 178.5 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition off I-40 onto the Shelbyville Highway, as services might become less frequent in the more rural sections closer to Unionville.
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.
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 118.9 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 Unionville, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 237.8 miles and 4h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 118.9 miles from Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 178.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 220.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 40 East
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward US 31A, US 41A: Shelbyville, Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$37.18 one way
$74.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.82 | $81.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.76 | $91.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.50 | $105.01 |
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: 83.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.97 | $11.41 |
| Efficient EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.81 | $9.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.1 | 1 | $33.29 | $15.22 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Unionville on Tuesday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience on this trip, with 92% of the journey taking place on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 178.5 miles, primarily on I-40, which means you'll have extended periods of consistent speed. While much of the drive is on the interstate, the transition to roads like the Tennessee National Guard Parkway and Shelbyville Highway will introduce slightly different driving dynamics as you approach your destination. This route prioritizes efficient travel over leisurely scenic cruising, offering a predictable and steady pace for most of its 4-hour duration.
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.
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 237.8 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Memphis, TN and Unionville, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Franklin and Lewisburg.
Knoxville
Franklin
Lewisburg
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 237.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Memphis, TN or browse trips ending in Unionville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
