Crossing Tennessee from the mountains to the river, this 425.2-mile journey connects Pigeon Forge to Memphis. You should plan for approximately 6 hours and 41 minutes of travel time, making this a long but manageable day trip for an ambitious driver. With an estimated fuel cost of $65, it is a budget-friendly way to see the state from end to end. While you could technically complete this in one day, the duration suggests you might prefer an overnight split to stay refreshed. The route keeps you within the Southeast region, transitioning from the eastern highlands toward the western river plains.
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
210.9 miles from Pigeon Forge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
386 mi
7h 1m
Chapman Highway
22.1 mi
26m
Parkway
5.6 mi
8m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
West Main Street
1.8 mi
2m
Henley Street
0.8 mi
1m
Western Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Forks of the River Parkway
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 386 mi, about 7h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pigeon Forge, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Old Mill Avenue
342 ft·12 sec·Old Mill Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 321; US 441
5.6 mi·8 min·Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the exit
125 ft·6 sec
Toward US 411 NorthUse the left lane.
4
Turn left onto US 441
0.6 mi·49 sec·Forks of the River Parkway
5
Turn left onto US 411; US 441
1.8 mi·2 min·West Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on US 411; US 441
22 mi·26 min·Chapman Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on US 441; SR 33
0.7 mi·1 min·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 441
0.1 mi·14 sec·Henley Street
9
Turn slight left onto SR 62
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
0.4 mi·43 sec·Ailor Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South
12
Merge onto I 40
18 mi·21 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi·3 hr 33 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
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
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Since you are facing nearly 7 hours of driving, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue as you cross the state. You have one scheduled stop included in your itinerary, so use that time strategically to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle. Given the technical nature of these local roads, avoid rushing through the turns; pacing yourself will make the trip significantly more comfortable. Keep your $65 fuel budget handy and monitor your gas levels closely, as local roads may not offer the same frequent service station access found on major interstates. Flexibility is your best asset here, so be ready to adjust your pace if traffic patterns shift along the local thoroughfares.
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 210.9 miles from Pigeon Forge, TN, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 386 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 93 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.9 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 42m
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 Pigeon Forge, 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 Pigeon Forge, TN
This is one driving day of about 421.8 miles and 7h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Pigeon Forge, 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 386 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.8 and 421.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
50.8 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
205.7 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
207.8 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
8
408.1 mi into trip|~7h 32m 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
8
421.3 mi into trip|~7h 48m 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
$65.94 one way
$131.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg148 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$72.40
$144.81
premium
$4.89
$81.17
$162.34
diesel
$5.61
$93.13
$186.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
126.5
1
$44.29
$20.25
Efficient EV
105.5
1
$36.91
$16.87
EV Truck/SUV
168.7
2
$59.05
$27.00
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
49 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Pigeon Forge, TN
Night
in Pigeon Forge on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Evening
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph60% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
211 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
33 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
7h 49m 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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
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 189.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate sprint, as this route features 0% highway share. You will navigate via the Parkway, US 411 North, and Forks of the River Parkway, which keeps your focus on the road throughout the 425.2-mile trek. Because the path relies on local roads, you will experience a more intimate look at the changing Tennessee landscape compared to a high-speed freeway trek. Prepare for a steady, hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention behind the wheel.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 386 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Chapman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.8 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 421.8 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 50.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,822 ft258 ft
Total Climb
1,240 ft
Total Descent
1,977 ft
Highest Point
1,822 ft
~120.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,564 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pigeon Forge, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 49m. Total distance: 421.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 386 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Memphis, TN before the return drive.
