Origin
Brighton, TN
Night in Brighton on Tuesday
Local time
10:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brighton, TN to Memphis, TN
Data updated 49 minutes ago
Drive Time
44m
Distance
30.8 mi
50 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 52m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brighton, TN
Kelly
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Brighton, TN to Memphis, TN covers 30.8 miles and takes about 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 51, East Kenwood Avenue, North Danny Thomas Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.1 miles on US 51. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.82 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.4 miles from Brighton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 44m highway drive covering 30.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and East Kenwood Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 29.1 miles on US 51.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 5 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 51 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
430 ft
216 ft
Total Climb
244 ft
Total Descent
306 ft
Highest Point
430 ft
~4.4 mi in
Elevation Range
214 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and East Kenwood Avenue. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 51.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Brighton, TN to Memphis, TN is easy. At 44m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 51): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.5 miles (Poplar Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
2 of 2 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 51
Turn left onto US 51
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
30.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
Poplar Avenue
Turn right onto Poplar Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 51 | 29.1 mi | 40m |
| East Kenwood Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| North Danny Thomas Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Poplar Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 29.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on East Kenwood Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kenwood Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 51
29 mi
·
40 min
·
US 51
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Danny Thomas Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Poplar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
5
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.4 miles from Brighton, TN, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.1 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 30.8 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.4 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
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 Brighton, 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 Brighton, TN
This is one driving day of about 30.8 miles and 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brighton, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 51 for about 29.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.4 mi from Brighton, TN · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.4 miles from Brighton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.82 one way
$9.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.29 | $10.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.93 | $11.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.80 | $13.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.23 | $1.48 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.70 | $1.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Night in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
10:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
1 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
44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brighton, TN to Memphis, TN covers 30.8 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 51, East Kenwood Avenue, North Danny Thomas Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.4 miles from Brighton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Brighton, TN to Memphis, TN is easy. At 44m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 51): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.5 miles (Poplar Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Brighton, TN to Memphis, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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