Trip from Collierville, TN to Athens, TN

Drive Time

6h 51m

Distance

344.7 mi

555 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 40m ★

6 AM

6h 52m

8 AM

7h 15m

10 AM

7h 0m

12 PM

6h 58m

3 PM

7h 1m

5 PM

7h 14m

8 PM

6h 45m

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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Collierville, TN

Kelly

Athens, TN

Andy Staver

Trip Overview

Spanning 344.7 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Collierville to Athens typically takes about 6 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Because the route is highway-focused, it is feasible as a one-day trip if you are comfortable with a longer stint behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel to cover the journey. Navigating this path involves transitioning through the Southeast region using a combination of US 72, I-565, and I-75. While it is certainly possible to complete this in a single day, you might consider an overnight split if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Overall, this is a straightforward, functional drive that connects two distinct parts of the state.

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

172.4 miles from Collierville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

This journey is characterized by a significant highway share of 88%, making it a highly efficient way to cross the state. You will spend a large portion of your time on major corridors, providing a steady, consistent rhythm to your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, where you will cover 124 miles on US 72. As you transition from the initial highway segments onto I-565 and eventually I-75, the road environment remains largely focused on high-speed transit. Expect a predictable experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, local backroads.

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.

US 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 124 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.5 miles in near US 72.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 344.7 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 23.5 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 125 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

23.5 mi into trip | ~30m in | US 72

Enter roundabout onto US 72 toward US 72 East: Corinth

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward US 72 East: Corinth

125 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park

162.2 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in | US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast

Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

293 mi into trip | ~5h 51m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 185 B Toward I 75 North: Knoxville

340.5 mi into trip | ~6h 45m in

Take the exit toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 49 Toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur

Towns Along This Route

Between Collierville, TN and Athens, TN, road signs point toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.

Decatur

125 mi in | ~2h 32m | via US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Joe Wheeler State Park

125 mi in | ~2h 32m | via US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Huntsville

164 mi in | ~3h 22m | via US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 72	124 mi	2h 29m
I 565	92.8 mi	1h 46m
I 75	46.6 mi	52m
I 24	33.1 mi	38m
Joe Wheeler Highway	20.2 mi	24m
US 72 Alternate	8.6 mi	12m
Wheeler Highway	8.4 mi	9m
Decatur Pike	3.2 mi	5m

Longest stretch: US 72 — 124 mi, about 2h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Collierville, TN and Athens, TN.

Start on North Rowlett Street

321 ft · 17 sec · North Rowlett Street

Turn left onto North Center Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · North Center Street

Turn left onto US 72

23 mi · 27 min · US 72

Use the straight / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto US 72

153 ft · 1 sec · US 72

Toward US 72 East: Corinth

Continue on US 72

57 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 72

Toward US 72 East: Corinth Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 72

0.2 mi · 17 sec · US 72

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 72

44 mi · 52 min · US 72

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20

8.4 mi · 9 min · Wheeler Highway

Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

20 mi · 24 min · Joe Wheeler Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

8.6 mi · 12 min · US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20

1.8 mi · 2 min · 6th Avenue Northeast

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

3.0 mi · 3 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway

Toward Huntsville Use the none lane.

Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate

93 mi · 1 hr 46 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I-24 East: Chattanooga

Merge onto I 24

33 mi · 38 min · I 24

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 185 B Toward I 75 North: Knoxville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 75

47 mi · 52 min · I 75

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Exit 49 Toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur

Turn right onto TN 30

3.2 mi · 5 min · Decatur Pike

Use the none lane.

Continue on SR 30

0.6 mi · 53 sec · Green Street

Turn right onto SR 39

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Washington Avenue

Arrive at destination

SR 39

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 344.7-mile drive, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential congestion on the interstate sections. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch and refuel effectively to keep your $52 budget on track. Given the length of the trip, staying alert during the 124-mile stretch on US 72 is critical for maintaining your focus. Flexibility is a major advantage here; if you feel fatigued, you have the freedom to adjust your pace along the I-75 corridor. Prioritize keeping your fuel levels consistent, as the transition between major highways can sometimes lead to stretches with fewer convenient service options.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 172.4 miles from Collierville, TN, or about 3h 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124 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 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 172.4 miles or 3h 32m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Collierville, 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 Collierville, TN

This is one driving day of about 344.7 miles and 6h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Collierville, 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 US 72 for about 124 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 172.4 mi from Collierville, TN · 3h 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Huntsville, AL

172 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

Mount Carmel, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Huntsville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 172.4 miles from Collierville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124 miles.

Arriving in Athens, TN

The final approach into Athens, 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 Athens, 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

$52.36 one way

$104.71 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 121 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$57.72	$115.43
premium	$4.80	$65.07	$130.14
diesel	$5.64	$76.58	$153.16

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: 120.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	103.4	1	$36.19	$16.55
Efficient EV	86.2	0	$30.16	$13.79
EV Truck/SUV	137.9	1	$48.26	$22.06

Gas CO2

121 kg

EV CO2

40 kg (67% 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

Collierville, TN

Evening in Collierville on Sunday

Local time

5:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Athens, TN

Evening in Athens on Sunday

Local time

6:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

2 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

6h 51m 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 Collierville, TN to Athens, TN covers 344.7 miles and takes about 6h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 72, I 565, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 172.4 miles from Collierville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.36 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Collierville, TN and Athens, TN, road signs point toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.

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Trip from Collierville, TN to Athens, 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 Athens, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Collierville, TN

Athens, TN

1 hour later

2 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 51m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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