Origin
Bluff City, TN
Evening in Bluff City on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bluff City, TN to Memphis, TN
Drive Time
9h 11m
Distance
501.2 mi
807 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 4m
★
6 AM
9h 12m
8 AM
9h 29m
10 AM
9h 18m
12 PM
9h 16m
3 PM
9h 19m
5 PM
9h 28m
8 PM
9h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bluff City, TN
Kelly
Memphis, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 501.2 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Bluff City to Memphis is a significant commitment that takes approximately 7 hours and 42 minutes of pure driving time. While it is technically possible to complete this journey in a single day, be prepared for a long haul behind the wheel. You should budget around $76 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. Because you are traversing the entire length of the state, this route serves as a true cross-Tennessee experience. Carefully consider your stamina before setting out, as the duration makes this a demanding day trip for most drivers.
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
250.6 miles from Bluff City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience as you transition from the local charm of Bluff City Highway, Holston Drive, and Carter Street. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highway stretches, which currently account for 0% of the journey. This lack of highway travel means your pace will be dictated by local traffic and road conditions rather than cruise control. You will need to remain alert, as the absence of long, uninterrupted highway segments requires more active engagement throughout the 501.2-mile trip. It is a drive that demands patience and focus as you navigate through the heart of the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 420.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,991 ft
258 ft
Total Climb
1,649 ft
Total Descent
2,844 ft
Highest Point
1,991 ft
~188 mi in
Elevation Range
1,733 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 130.2 miles in near I 40.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 501.2 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 130.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 287.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
130.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m 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
285.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m 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
287.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m 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
487.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 54m 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
500.8 mi into trip
|
~9h 10m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Bluff City, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.
Nashville
130.2 mi in
|
~2h 26m
|
via I 40
Louisville
288.3 mi in
|
~5h 17m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 420.4 mi | 7h 39m |
| I 81 | 69.2 mi | 1h 14m |
| Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Bluff City Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| North 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Carter Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Holston Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 420.4 mi, about 7h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bluff City, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on SR 44
60 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Carter Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Carter Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Holston Drive
391 ft
·
19 sec
·
Holston Drive
4
At end of road, turn right onto SR 390
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Bluff City Highway
5
Turn left onto TN 394
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
6
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 81 South
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 81
68 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 81
8
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
9
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 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 Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use 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, Memphis
Use 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 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use 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: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
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
17
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.
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 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Use 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 manage the 7-hour and 42-minute duration effectively, plan for at least 2 scheduled stops to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Since this is a lengthy drive, departing as early as possible in the morning is the best way to avoid hitting the final leg of your journey during late-night fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, ensuring you have the $76 budget set aside for refueling at convenient intervals along the local roads. Given the lack of high-speed highway transit, treat this as a marathon rather than a sprint; prioritize comfort and consistent pacing to ensure you arrive in Memphis feeling prepared for your destination.
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 250.6 miles from Bluff City, TN, or about 4h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 420.4 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 110 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 250.6 miles or 4h 35m 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 250.6 miles or 4h 35m
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 8h 4m
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 Bluff City, 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 Bluff City, TN
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Bluff City, 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 420.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 250.6 mi from Bluff City, TN · 4h 35m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
165 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
331 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Nashville, TNOvernight Options
Night 1
251 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Hendersonville, TN after about 251 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 110 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 250.6 miles from Bluff City, 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 420.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 251 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
Arriving in Memphis, TN
The final approach into Memphis, 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 Memphis, TN.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Memphis, TN with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.13 one way
$152.25 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
175 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $83.92 | $167.84 |
| premium | $4.80 | $94.62 | $189.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $111.35 | $222.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$206–$316
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 175.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 150.4 | 1 | $52.63 | $24.06 |
| Efficient EV | 125.3 | 1 | $43.86 | $20.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 200.5 | 2 | $70.17 | $32.08 |
Gas CO2
175 kg
EV CO2
59 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.
Destination
Memphis, TN
Evening in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
5:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
165 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
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
9h 11m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bluff City, TN to Memphis, TN covers 501.2 miles and takes about 9h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 251 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 250.6 miles from Bluff City, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $76.13 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 501.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 130.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 287.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bluff City, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.
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