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Trip from Athens, TN to Collierville, TN

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

6h 52m

Distance

345.3 mi

556 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 41m ★
6 AM
6h 53m
8 AM
7h 16m
10 AM
7h 1m
12 PM
6h 59m
3 PM
7h 2m
5 PM
7h 15m
8 PM
6h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in McMinn County, Tennessee, United States

Athens, TN

Wikimedia Commons

town in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States

Collierville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Athens, TN to Collierville, TN covers 345.3 miles and takes about 6h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 72, John T Reid Parkway, US 72 Alternate for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.1 miles on US 72. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.98 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

172.6 miles from Athens, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 6h 52m highway drive covering 345.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 72 and John T Reid Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 92.1 miles on US 72.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 92.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and John T Reid Parkway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North White Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 345.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North White Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.1 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North White Street

Turn left onto North White Street

Navigation decision point

7
51.3 mi into trip | ~1h in

Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

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 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
6
183.1 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in | US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
321.8 mi into trip | ~6h 22m in | US 72

Enter roundabout onto US 72 toward US 72 West: Memphis

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward US 72 West: Memphis
8
335.3 mi into trip | ~6h 38m in | US 72

Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 toward Collierville, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Collierville, Memphis

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Athens, TN and Collierville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Chattanooga.

Nashville

51.3 mi in | ~1h

Chattanooga

51.9 mi in | ~1h | via I 24

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 72 92.1 mi 1h 50m
John T Reid Parkway 71.9 mi 1h 22m
US 72 Alternate 59.6 mi 1h 14m
I 75 46.7 mi 52m
I 24 33.3 mi 38m
North Cedar Avenue 17.8 mi 20m
Highway 72 9.5 mi 12m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway 3.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: US 72 — 92.1 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Athens, TN and Collierville, TN.

1

Start on SR 39

186 ft · 9 sec · Washington Avenue
2

Turn left onto North White Street

244 ft · 12 sec · North White Street
3

Turn left onto SR 39

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East Madison Avenue
4

Turn left onto SR 30; SR 39

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Green Street
5

Continue on TN 30

3.4 mi · 5 min · Decatur Pike
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
7

Merge onto I 75

47 mi · 52 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 24

33 mi · 38 min · I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 152A Toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
11

Continue on US 72

18 mi · 20 min · North Cedar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 72

0.8 mi · 56 sec · Lee Highway
13

Continue on US 72

2.0 mi · 2 min · John T Reid Parkway
14

Continue on US 72

2.0 mi · 2 min · Lee Highway
15

Continue on US 72

70 mi · 1 hr 20 min · John T Reid Parkway
16

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

3.5 mi · 4 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the right lane.
17

Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20

1.6 mi · 2 min · Bee Line Highway
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20

60 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the right lane.
19

Continue on US 72

22 mi · 26 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Continue on US 72

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on US 72

9.5 mi · 12 min · Highway 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on US 72

1.4 mi · 2 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
23

Continue on US 72

44 mi · 52 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Enter roundabout onto US 72

155 ft · 1 sec · US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
25

Continue on US 72

13 mi · 15 min · US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto US 72

8.9 mi · 11 min · US 72
Toward Collierville, Memphis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on US 72

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 72
Use the straight lane.
28

Turn right onto South Center Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Center Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Turn right onto East South Street

432 ft · 17 sec · East South Street
30

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · South Main Street
31

Turn left onto North Rowlett Street

71 ft · 3 sec · North Rowlett Street
32

Arrive at destination

North Rowlett Street

Trip Plan

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 172.6 miles from Athens, TN, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.1 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 172.6 miles or 3h 20m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Collierville, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Athens, 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 Athens, TN

This is one driving day of about 345.3 miles and 6h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Athens, 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 US 72 for about 92.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 172.6 mi from Athens, TN · 3h 20m into the drive

county seat of Madison County, Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Huntsville, AL

173 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

Chattanooga, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Huntsville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 172.6 miles from Athens, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.1 miles.

Arriving in Collierville, TN

The final approach into Collierville, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Collierville, TN.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.98 one way

$107.97 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 121 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $59.27 $118.54
premium $4.89 $66.45 $132.90
diesel $5.61 $76.24 $152.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 103.6 1 $36.26 $16.57
Efficient EV 86.3 0 $30.21 $13.81
EV Truck/SUV 138.1 1 $48.34 $22.10

Gas CO2

121 kg

EV CO2

40 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 data refreshed 6 hours ago

Origin

Athens, TN

Afternoon in Athens on Wednesday

Local time

1:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Collierville, TN

Afternoon in Collierville on Wednesday

Local time

12:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

20 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

6h 52m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Athens, TN to Collierville, TN covers 345.3 miles and takes about 6h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 72, John T Reid Parkway, US 72 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.6 miles from Athens, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 345.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North White Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.1 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Athens, TN and Collierville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Chattanooga.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Collierville, TN to Athens, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

344.7 mi 6h 51m

Explore more options from Athens, TN or browse trips ending in Collierville, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

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