Origin
Charlotte, TN
Evening in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
5:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, TN to Memphis, TN
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
183.4 mi
295 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, TN
MADDCREATOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Memphis, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Charlotte to Memphis covers 183.4 miles, making for a manageable 3-hour and 31-minute journey across Tennessee. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $28 on fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate primarily via SR 48 and Center Avenue before settling onto I-40 for the bulk of the transit. This route is an efficient way to cross the Southeast, offering a practical connection between these two points without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
91.7 miles from Charlotte, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient trip, as 94% of your travel time is spent on highways. The road's personality is defined by a significant 165.6-mile stretch on I-40, which dominates the middle and final portions of your drive. While your departure involves local roads like Center Avenue and SR 48, these quickly give way to the consistent, fast-paced rhythm of the interstate. You will find that the character of the drive is very steady, lacking the technical demands of winding backroads. It is a classic highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness to get you to your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 165.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Center Avenue. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in near SR 48 Alternate / Church Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 183.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 7.8 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 169.5 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
SR 48 Alternate / Church Street
Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate / Church Street
Navigation decision point
6
169.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m 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
169.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m 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
6
180.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
182.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
On the drive from Charlotte, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Little Rock
169.5 mi in
|
~3h 13m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 165.6 mi | 3h 1m |
| Center Avenue | 9.1 mi | 16m |
| SR 48 | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| North 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Spring Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Church Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West College Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 165.6 mi, about 3h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Spencer Alley
32 ft
·
6 sec
·
Spencer Alley
2
Turn left onto SR 49
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Spring Street
3
Turn left onto SR 48
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
SR 48
4
Turn left onto US 70 Business
332 ft
·
8 sec
·
West College Street
5
Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Church Street
6
Continue on SR 48 Alternate
9.1 mi
·
16 min
·
Center Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 163
Toward SR 48: Centerville
8
Merge onto I 40
152 mi
·
2 hr 44 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
9
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
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft
·
4 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Since the drive takes less than four hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic congestion. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the long, uninterrupted stretch on the interstate can become repetitive. Keep your eyes on the fuel gauge early on, as the $28 estimate is a baseline; ensuring you are topped off before merging onto I-40 is a smart move for peace of mind. Given the duration, you do not need to worry about splitting the trip into multiple days. Using your single allotted stop to break up the 165.6-mile interstate leg will keep you alert and comfortable behind the wheel.
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 91.7 miles from Charlotte, TN, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.6 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.7 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
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 Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, TN
This is one driving day of about 183.4 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charlotte, 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 165.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.7 mi from Charlotte, TN · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.7 miles from Charlotte, 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 165.6 miles.
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.
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
$27.86 one way
$55.71 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.71 | $61.42 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.62 | $69.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.75 | $81.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55 | 0 | $19.26 | $8.80 |
| Efficient EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.68 | $11.74 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
Evening in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
5:37 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
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
3h 31m 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 Charlotte, TN to Memphis, TN covers 183.4 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Center Avenue, SR 48. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.7 miles from Charlotte, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.86 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 183.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 7.8 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 169.5 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Charlotte, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
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