This 325.8-mile drive from Pikeville, TN to Memphis, TN, is a solid day trip, clocking in at around 6 hours and 23 minutes of pure driving time. Primarily utilizing I-40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and SR 30, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it an efficient journey across Tennessee. With a projected fuel cost of $51, it's an affordable option for covering significant distance. Given its manageable duration, it’s perfectly suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This journey offers a straightforward way to get from the Southeast region to another part of the same region.
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
162.9 miles from Pikeville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
178.1 mi
3h 14m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
SR 30
39 mi
1h
John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi
18m
Nashville Highway
10.2 mi
11m
McMinnville Highway
8.1 mi
10m
I 24
6.5 mi
6m
South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pikeville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Cumberland Avenue
105 ft·6 sec·Cumberland Avenue
2
Turn right onto SR 30
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 127; SR 30
0.1 mi·15 sec·Main Street
4
Turn left onto SR 30
25 mi·40 min·SR 30
5
At end of road, turn right onto SR 30
14 mi·20 min·SR 30
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
7
Keep slight left at fork
101 ft·2 sec
8
Turn left onto US 70S
2.4 mi·2 min·Sparta Highway
9
Continue on US 70S
0.5 mi·36 sec·Sparta Street
10
Continue on US 70S
3.1 mi·3 min·Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway
11
Take the exit onto US 70S
0.3 mi·48 sec·US 70S
12
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·12 sec
13
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.3 mi·18 sec·West Main Street
14
Continue on US 70S
10 mi·11 min·Nashville Highway
15
Continue on US 70S
8.1 mi·10 min·McMinnville Highway
16
Continue on US 70S; SR 53
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
17
Continue on US 70S
16 mi·18 min·John Bragg Highway
18
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi·5 min·South Rutherford Boulevard
19
Turn left onto US 231
0.3 mi·22 sec·South Church Street
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 24 West: NashvilleUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 24
6.5 mi·6 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 40
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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
26
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.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
29
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 23-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Pikeville to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Memphis. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 178.1 miles, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the midpoint of your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $51 estimated cost suggests consistent travel. Since this is a feasible one-day trip, you have flexibility, but booking accommodations in Memphis in advance is always a good idea if you plan to arrive later in the evening.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.9 miles from Pikeville, TN, or about 3h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.1 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 72 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.9 miles or 3h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 17m
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 Pikeville, 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 Pikeville, TN
This is one driving day of about 325.8 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Pikeville, 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 178.1 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 85.8 and 325.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
85.8 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
8
92.6 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
6
312 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
312.1 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
325.3 mi into trip|~6h 22m 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
$48.11 one way
$96.23 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$53.12
$106.23
premium
$4.72
$60.49
$120.98
diesel
$4.80
$61.52
$123.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.7
1
$34.21
$15.64
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.51
$13.03
EV Truck/SUV
130.3
1
$45.61
$20.85
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Pikeville, TN
Late night
in Pikeville on Sunday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
WNW 5 to 10 mph8% 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
5 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
6h 23m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 86% highway-focused experience on this route, with the majority of your miles spent on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 178.1 miles on I-40, indicating significant portions of consistent, high-speed driving. While the profile suggests a highway-centric journey, the inclusion of SR 30 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway hints at potential variations in road type and speed as you transition between major interstates and state routes. This blend means you'll experience both efficient cruising and perhaps some more varied driving conditions.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 85.8 miles in.
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 325.8 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 85.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 312 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,802 ft258 ft
Total Climb
1,416 ft
Total Descent
2,015 ft
Highest Point
1,802 ft
~23.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,544 ft
Notable High Points
1,802 ft at ~23.3 miles+764 ft prominence
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 Pikeville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
92.6 mi in|~2h 8m
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 325.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 85.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 312 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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.
