Millersville, TN to Memphis, TN is 226.8 miles and takes about 4 hours 10 minutes via I-40 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two Tennessee cities without significant detours or complex navigation.
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
113.4 miles from Millersville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
209.8 mi
3h 49m
I 65
12.3 mi
14m
Downtown Loop
1.6 mi
2m
Louisville Highway
1 mi
1m
Blue Star
0.7 mi
1m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Poplar Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 209.8 mi, about 3h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Millersville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 31W
1.0 mi·1 min·Louisville Highway
2
Continue on US 31W
0.7 mi·1 min·Blue Star
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 65
12 mi·13 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto I 65
0.3 mi·32 sec·I 65
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 65
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Exit 84BToward I 40 West: Memphis
8
Merge onto I 40
196 mi·3 hr 32 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 40
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 40
Exit 10A-BToward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
11 mi·13 min·I 40
Exit 10BToward I 40 West: Little RockUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 10-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Millersville in the morning to take advantage of daylight for the entire journey. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $35, planning your stops for fuel and breaks won't be a major logistical challenge. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach Memphis, especially if you're arriving during peak hours.
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 113.4 miles from Millersville, TN, or about 2h 5m 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 50 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.4 miles or 2h 5m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Memphis, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Millersville, 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 Millersville, TN
This is one driving day of about 226.8 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Millersville, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 14 and 226.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14 mi into trip|~17m in|I 65
Take the exit onto I 65 toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
6
213 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 40
Take the exit onto I 40 toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10A-B
Toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississip...
8
213.1 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10B
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
6
224.3 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
226.3 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Take the exit toward Second Street, Third Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.49 one way
$66.99 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.98
$73.95
premium
$4.72
$42.11
$84.22
diesel
$4.80
$42.82
$85.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68
0
$23.81
$10.89
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.85
$9.07
EV Truck/SUV
90.7
1
$31.75
$14.52
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Millersville, TN
Late night
in Millersville on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:29PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:57PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WNW 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:29PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:57PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
90°F
Waverly, TN
113 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.
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 10m 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.
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 15.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of it utilizing major interstates like I-40 and I-65. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 209.8 miles solely on I-40. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal changes in road type, which can be beneficial for maintaining speed and predictability. The Downtown Loop in Memphis will be your final approach into the city.
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: 209.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14 miles in near I 65.
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 226.8 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: at 14 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
823 ft258 ft
Total Climb
513 ft
Total Descent
756 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~64.8 mi in
Elevation Range
565 ft
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 Millersville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock 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
•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 10m. Total distance: 226.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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 25 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 Memphis, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Memphis, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
