Red Boiling Springs, TN to Memphis, TN is 281 miles and takes about 5h 23m via I 40 and US 31E, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region as you head west. It's a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for a direct route. With a recommended one-day drive time, you can expect to cover the distance without needing an overnight stay, assuming you start with a full tank.
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
140.5 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
209.8 mi
3h 49m
Lafayette Road
23.7 mi
35m
US 31E
16.9 mi
21m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
15.1 mi
17m
I 65
9 mi
10m
Long Hollow Pike
2 mi
2m
Downtown Loop
1.6 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 209.8 mi, about 3h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Boiling Springs, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on SR 56
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto SR 52
24 mi·35 min·Lafayette Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 31E; US 231
17 mi·21 min·US 31E; US 231
4
Continue on US 31E
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Broadway
5
Turn right onto TN 25
0.4 mi·31 sec·Red River Road
6
Turn straight onto SR 174
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Hollow Pike
7
Continue on TN 386
15 mi·17 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 65
8.7 mi·10 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 65
0.3 mi·32 sec·I 65
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 65
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Exit 84BToward I 40 West: Memphis
12
Merge onto I 40
196 mi·3 hr 32 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 23m estimated duration, starting your drive in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Memphis comfortably. While there's only one recommended stop, it's wise to take breaks as needed, especially during the longest stretch on I 40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 estimated cost suggests you won't need frequent fill-ups, but it's always good practice to refuel before hitting longer, less populated highway segments. Consider having your first fuel stop planned shortly after leaving Red Boiling Springs to ensure you begin the main interstate portion with a full tank.
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 140.5 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN, or about 2h 49m 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 62 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.5 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
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 Red Boiling Springs, 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 Red Boiling Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 281 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Red Boiling Springs, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 280.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 52 / Lafayette Road
Turn right onto SR 52 / Lafayette Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
267.1 mi into trip|~5h 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
267.3 mi into trip|~5h 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
280.5 mi into trip|~5h 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
$43.93 one way
$87.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.23
$96.47
premium
$4.89
$54.08
$108.15
diesel
$5.61
$62.04
$124.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.3
1
$29.50
$13.49
Efficient EV
70.3
0
$24.59
$11.24
EV Truck/SUV
112.4
1
$39.34
$17.98
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Red Boiling Springs, TN
Late night
in Red Boiling Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live 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
17 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
5h 23m 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 67.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 40. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving on I 40, covering 209.8 miles, so be prepared for a consistent pace. The initial part of the drive involves Lafayette Road and US 31E, offering a slightly different feel before merging onto the interstate. Expect the majority of your time to be spent on this faster, more direct highway.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 Lafayette Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near SR 52 / Lafayette Road.
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 14 significant decision points across 281 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 1.2 miles (SR 52 / Lafayette Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.1 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5h 23m. Total distance: 281 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (SR 52 / Lafayette Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.1 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
