Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Evening in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Memphis, TN
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
339.9 mi
547 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Memphis, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 339.9 miles across Tennessee, this cross-state journey connects Chattanooga to Memphis in approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes. Because the drive is under five hours, you can comfortably complete it in a single day, though an overnight stay in Memphis allows you to arrive refreshed. You will primarily navigate via I-24, I-840 West, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Budgeting around $50 for fuel should cover your transit across the state. Since both cities are located within the Southeast, the climate and cultural transition remain consistent throughout the trip. It is a straightforward, functional route that gets you from the mountains of East Tennessee to the Mississippi River delta efficiently.
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
169.9 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise on this 339.9-mile transit. While you will utilize major thoroughfares like I-24 and I-840, the route lacks a single, long uninterrupted stretch on the interstate, requiring you to stay alert through various transitions. Because the highway share is 0%, your time behind the wheel will involve frequent course adjustments and navigating local infrastructure. The personality of this drive is practical and utilitarian, prioritizing connectivity between regional hubs over scenic interstate cruising. Prepare for a more engaged driving experience than a standard high-speed commute, as the road demands your attention through its varied turns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
24 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 59m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Memphis, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 840 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 240 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Second Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Poplar Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
24
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
2
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
3
Merge slight left
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
4
Keep slight right to continue on 24: Nashville, Birmingham
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
24: Nashville, Birmingham
5
Merge slight left
105 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
7
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
8
Merge slight left
165 mi
·
2 hr 58 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Little Rock
11 mi
·
13 min
·
I 40 West: Little Rock
11
Keep slight left
2.1 mi
·
2 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward Second Street, Third Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Second Street, Third Street
13
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North 2nd Street
14
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
203 ft
·
4 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To maximize your efficiency, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the transition roads connecting Chattanooga to the Tennessee National Guard Parkway. With a total duration of nearly five hours, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $50 budget in mind. Since this is a turn-heavy route, having a reliable navigation system is essential to manage the multiple road changes smoothly. The flexibility of a one-day trip is a major advantage, allowing you to tailor your departure time to fit your personal schedule. Keep a close eye on your GPS when switching between I-840 and the local parkways, as these intersections are the most critical points for staying on track.
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 169.9 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.9 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
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 Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, TN
This is one driving day of about 339.9 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chattanooga, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 169.9 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
170 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 169.9 miles from Chattanooga, 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
$51.63 one way
$103.25 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $56.91 | $113.83 |
| premium | $4.80 | $64.17 | $128.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $75.51 | $151.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102 | 1 | $35.69 | $16.32 |
| Efficient EV | 85 | 0 | $29.74 | $13.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136 | 1 | $47.59 | $21.75 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
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
1 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 59m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chattanooga, TN to Memphis, TN covers 339.9 miles and takes about 4h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 24, I 840 West, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 169.9 miles from Chattanooga, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.63 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 59m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Memphis, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Chattanooga, TN to Memphis, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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