Origin
Springfield, TN
Late night in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, TN to Memphis, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
236.7 mi
381 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 34m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 50m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 236.7-mile drive from Springfield, TN to Memphis, TN covers a distance that's easily manageable in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40, this route is a straightforward highway-focused journey through the heart of Tennessee. With an estimated fuel cost of around $37, it’s an economical option for a quick trip. The drive is efficient, with 90% of it being on highways, making it ideal for those looking to reach their destination without many detours. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a consistent pace for the majority of the trip.
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
118.4 miles from Springfield, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 205.9 mi | 3h 44m |
| Whites Creek Pike | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| Briley Parkway | 7.9 mi | 8m |
| Tom Austin Highway | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Memorial Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 5th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 205.9 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on South Main Street
45 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn right onto TN 49
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
East 5th Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 41; US 431
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 431
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Tom Austin Highway
5
Continue on US 431
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Whites Creek Pike
6
Continue on US 431
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Whites Creek Pike
7
Continue on US 431
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Whites Creek Pike
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward TN 155 West: Briley Parkway
9
Merge onto TN 155
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Briley Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 27A-B
Toward I 40: Nashville, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27B
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 40
193 mi
·
3 hr 28 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-B
Toward 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 10B
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Use 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 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Use 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 4-hour and 24-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will get you to Memphis with plenty of daylight. While the longest stretch on I-40 is over 200 miles, plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as there's only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long I-40 segment, to ensure you don't need to search for services unexpectedly. This efficient route means you can focus more on your destination and less on navigation.
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 118.4 miles from Springfield, TN, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 205.9 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 13m 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 35m
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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, TN
This is one driving day of about 236.7 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Springfield, 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 205.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.4 miles from Springfield, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 205.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 236.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
29.4 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Nashville, 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.
Exit 27A-B
Toward I 40: Nashville, Memphis
8
29.8 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27B
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
6
222.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
223 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
236.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m 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
$37.01 one way
$74.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.63 | $81.26 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.55 | $91.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.26 | $104.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71 | 0 | $24.85 | $11.36 |
| Efficient EV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.71 | $9.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.7 | 1 | $33.14 | $15.15 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
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
4h 24m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with a substantial 90% of the drive taking place on interstates like I-40. The character is largely that of a steady, consistent interstate cruise. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 205.9 miles on I-40, meaning extended periods of highway driving without significant changes in road type. While Whites Creek Pike and Briley Parkway offer brief introductions and conclusions to the interstate portion, the overall feel is one of efficient travel on major roadways.
90% 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: 205.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Whites Creek Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 236.7 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 29.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222.9 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 Springfield, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Little Rock
222.9 mi in
|
~4h 6m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Arriving in Memphis, TN
Full guide →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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 236.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 205.9 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 29.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222.9 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Memphis, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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