Crossing the entire state of Tennessee from Rogersville to Memphis is a substantial 455.2-mile journey that spans approximately 8 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Because of the length, you should plan for at least two days on the road to keep the pace manageable and enjoyable. You will primarily navigate via I-40, though the trip begins by transitioning from West Main Street and US 11W to reach the main highway arteries. Budgeting around $69 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip, as you traverse the state from the eastern reaches toward the Mississippi River. While it is technically possible to push through in one day, splitting the drive into two days allows for a much more relaxed experience across this Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
227.6 miles from Rogersville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
391.3 mi
7h 8m
US 11W
40.4 mi
46m
West Main Street
16.1 mi
19m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Appalachian Highway
2.2 mi
2m
East Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Rogersville Bypass
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 391.3 mi, about 7h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rogersville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on East Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
2
Take the ramp onto West Main Street
316 ft·14 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 11W; SR 1
414 ft·5 sec·Rogersville Bypass
4
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
16 mi·19 min·West Main Street
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11W; SR 1
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 11W; SR 1
6
Merge onto US 11W; US 25E; SR 1; SR 32; ADHS S
2.2 mi·2 min·Appalachian Highway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11W
40 mi·45 min·US 11W
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
9
Merge onto I 40
24 mi·27 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
16
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
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this long trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential congestion on the busiest sections of I-40. With two recommended stops built into your itinerary, use them to break up the 391.3-mile interstate stretch and prevent driver fatigue. Since fuel costs for the trip hover around $69, monitor your gauge during the longer highway segments to ensure you aren't caught off guard in more rural stretches. If you choose to split the drive over two days, look for a midpoint location to balance your daily mileage evenly. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep an eye on traffic reports near metropolitan hubs along I-40, as these areas can significantly impact your total travel time.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 227.6 miles from Rogersville, TN, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 391.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 100 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.6 miles or 4h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 227.6 miles or 4h 14m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 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 Rogersville, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rogersville, TN
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Rogersville, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 391.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 84.2 and 454.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
239.1 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
241.2 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
441.5 mi into trip|~8h 8m 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
454.8 mi into trip|~8h 24m 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
$71.17 one way
$142.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg159 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$78.14
$156.27
premium
$4.89
$87.60
$175.20
diesel
$5.61
$100.50
$201.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.6
1
$47.80
$21.85
Efficient EV
113.8
1
$39.83
$18.21
EV Truck/SUV
182.1
2
$63.73
$29.13
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 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 15, 2026
Origin
Rogersville, TN
Night
in Rogersville on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Evening
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
228 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
14 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
8h 25m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 219.8
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 31.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a significant 391.3-mile uninterrupted stretch of your journey. The road feels like a consistent, high-speed corridor that efficiently cuts across the landscape, minimizing the need for navigating complex local intersections once you hit the interstate. As you progress toward Memphis, the character remains steady and predictable, favoring speed and efficiency over winding backroads. Expect a straightforward experience behind the wheel where the rhythm of the highway dominates the drive.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 391.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 11W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.2 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 18 significant decision points across 455.2 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 84.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rogersville, 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.
The longest stretch is about 391.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 228 miles on day one.
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 84.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 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.
