Trip from Clinton, TN to Memphis, TN

Drive Time

7h 9m

Distance

384.1 mi

618 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

6h 59m ★

6 AM

7h 10m

8 AM

7h 32m

10 AM

7h 17m

12 PM

7h 15m

3 PM

7h 18m

5 PM

7h 30m

8 PM

7h 3m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Clinton, TN

Kelly

Memphis, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Crossing Tennessee from Clinton to Memphis covers 384.1 miles and typically requires about 7 hours and 9 minutes of travel time. Because the vast majority of this journey relies on I-40, it functions well as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with an extended period behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $58 for fuel to complete the transit across the state. While both cities are located within the Southeast, the route provides a direct corridor between the eastern part of the state and the Mississippi River. Deciding whether to tackle this in one push or split it up depends on your stamina, but the interstate-heavy layout makes for a straightforward, predictable transit.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

192 miles from Clinton, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as 91% of your journey takes place on high-speed highways. You will navigate local routes like Harriman Highway and Oliver Springs Highway briefly before settling into the long, primary stretch of I-40. This highway-focused path features a dominant 347.2-mile segment where you will spend most of your time maintaining a steady pace. The road's personality is functional and fast, designed to move you across the state landscape with minimal deviation. You will find that the rhythm of the drive is consistent, offering a reliable experience for drivers who prefer interstate travel over navigating winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 27 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 347.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 167.9 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 18 significant decision points across 384.1 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 167.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

167.9 mi into trip | ~3h 10m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville

170.1 mi into trip | ~3h 13m 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

173.4 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 West: Memphis

370.4 mi into trip | ~6h 52m 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

383.6 mi into trip | ~7h 8m 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 Clinton, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.

Louisville

171.1 mi in | ~3h 15m | via I 40

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	347.2 mi	6h 18m
Harriman Highway	9.8 mi	11m
Oliver Springs Highway	7.1 mi	12m
East Tri County Boulevard	4.6 mi	5m
North Roane Street	4.1 mi	4m
Downtown Loop	2.9 mi	3m
South Charles G Seivers Boulevard	2.1 mi	3m
Hannah Highway	2.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 347.2 mi, about 6h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, TN and Memphis, TN.

Start on Market Street

135 ft · 10 sec · Market Street

Turn left onto US 25W

0.5 mi · 51 sec · North Main Street

Turn right onto TN 61

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Charles G Seivers Boulevard

Continue on TN 61

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard

Continue on TN 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Oak Ridge Highway

Continue on TN 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Oak Ridge Turnpike

Turn right onto TN 61

7.1 mi · 12 min · Oliver Springs Highway

Turn right onto SR 61; SR 62

4.6 mi · 5 min · East Tri County Boulevard

Continue on SR 61

9.6 mi · 10 min · Harriman Highway

Merge onto US 27

0.2 mi · 10 sec · Bitter Creek Highway

Continue on US 27

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Harriman Highway

Continue on US 27

2.1 mi · 2 min · Hannah Highway

Continue on US 27

4.1 mi · 4 min · North Roane Street

Turn left

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Merge onto I 40

134 mi · 2 hr 24 min · I 40

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Merge onto I 40

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Downtown Loop

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

2.3 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Exit 210A Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 40

Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 1A Toward Second Street, Third Street Use the slight right lane.

Continue on North 2nd Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North 2nd Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Poplar Avenue

202 ft · 4 sec · Poplar Avenue

Arrive at destination

Poplar Avenue

Trip Plan

To manage the 384.1-mile distance effectively, plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is dominated by a long interstate stretch, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near urban hubs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 347.2-mile interstate leg, as finding the best prices can be easier if you plan your refueling stops ahead of time. Given the 7-hour duration, consider packing snacks and water to maintain your energy levels without needing extra detours. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the direct interstate access allows you to adjust your pace based on real-time traffic conditions along the I-40 corridor.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 192 miles from Clinton, TN, or about 3h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 347.2 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 85 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 192 miles or 3h 38m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 1m

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 Clinton, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Clinton, TN

This is one driving day of about 384.1 miles and 7h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Clinton, TN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 347.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 192 mi from Clinton, TN · 3h 38m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hendersonville, TN

192 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

Johnson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nashville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 192 miles from Clinton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 347.2 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

$58.34 one way

$116.68 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 134 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$64.31	$128.63
premium	$4.80	$72.51	$145.02
diesel	$5.64	$85.33	$170.67

Estimated Tolls: $0.08

Oak Ridge Turnpike (1.1 mi) $0.08

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 134.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	115.2	1	$40.33	$18.44
Efficient EV	96	1	$33.61	$15.36
EV Truck/SUV	153.6	1	$53.77	$24.58

Gas CO2

134 kg

EV CO2

45 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Clinton, TN

Evening in Clinton on Sunday

Local time

7:21 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Memphis, TN

Evening in Memphis on Sunday

Local time

6:21 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

2 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

7h 9m 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 Clinton, TN to Memphis, TN covers 384.1 miles and takes about 7h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, Harriman Highway, Oliver Springs Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 192 miles from Clinton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.34 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.

On the drive from Clinton, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.

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Trip from Clinton, TN to Memphis, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Memphis, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clinton, TN

Memphis, TN

1 hour earlier

2 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 9m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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