Cornersville, TN to Memphis, TN is 222.7 miles and takes about 4h 23m via I 40 and Linden Highway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you across Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The profile is a mixed drive, suggesting you'll experience varied road conditions. With only one recommended day, this trip is ideal for a single, manageable travel day. It's a straightforward journey that keeps you within the state of Tennessee.
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
111.4 miles from Cornersville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
95.7 mi
1h 46m
Linden Highway
51.3 mi
59m
Hampshire Pike
16.3 mi
19m
Columbia Highway
13 mi
16m
US 412
10.5 mi
11m
I 65
9.7 mi
10m
New Lewisburg Highway
9.3 mi
13m
East Main Street
4.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 95.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cornersville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Ruth Flye Avenue
105 ft·7 sec·Ruth Flye Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 31A; SR 129
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 129
0.3 mi·31 sec·Lynnville Road
4
Continue on SR 129
3.3 mi·5 min·Lynnville Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto I 65
9.7 mi·10 min·I 65
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 37Toward 50
8
Keep slight left at fork
105 ft·5 sec
Exit 37Toward 50
9
Turn left onto TN 50
9.3 mi·13 min·New Lewisburg Highway
10
Continue on TN 50
4.3 mi·6 min·James M Campbell Boulevard East
11
Turn left onto US 412 Business; SR 50
16 mi·19 min·Hampshire Pike
12
Continue on US 412
13 mi·16 min·Columbia Highway
13
Continue on US 412
4.6 mi·5 min·East Main Street
14
Continue on US 412
51 mi·59 min·Linden Highway
15
Continue on US 412
2.2 mi·2 min·West Church Sttreet
16
Continue on US 412
10 mi·11 min·US 412
17
Turn right onto SR 152
0.8 mi·1 min·Law Road
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
19
Merge onto I 40
82 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto I 40
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 40
Exit 10A-BToward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
11 mi·13 min·I 40
Exit 10BToward I 40 West: Little RockUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 23m duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day, leaving plenty of flexibility for departure time. With only one planned stop, consider making it a mid-point break to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The fuel cost estimate is around $35, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 95.7 miles on I 40, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. A practical tip for this route is to check traffic conditions for Memphis before you get too close, as urban areas can present unexpected delays.
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 111.4 miles from Cornersville, TN, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.7 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 49 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.4 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 Cornersville, 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 Cornersville, TN
This is one driving day of about 222.7 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Cornersville, 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 95.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 14 and 222.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 50
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 37
Toward 50
6
208.9 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
209 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
220.2 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
222.3 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.82 one way
$69.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.23
$76.45
premium
$4.89
$42.86
$85.71
diesel
$5.61
$49.17
$98.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.8
0
$23.38
$10.69
Efficient EV
55.7
0
$19.49
$8.91
EV Truck/SUV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.25
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Cornersville, TN
Afternoon
in Cornersville on Saturday
Local time
4:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
4:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
25 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
4h 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 52% of it being on highways. You'll encounter stretches on I 40, Linden Highway, and Hampshire Pike. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 95.7 miles on I 40, providing a period of consistent highway travel. Expect the road character to shift as you progress, transitioning between faster highway sections and potentially more local road segments. This variety means you won't be stuck in a single driving mode for the entire 4h 23m journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 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 95.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 222.7 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 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 208.9 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cornersville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Memphis is the second largest city in the state of Tennessee, after Nashville. The state rests in the southeastern portion of the United States. Memphis, with a population of more than 651,000 (2019), is also the county seat for Shelby County. The city's claims to fame include Graceland, the mansion Elvis Presley lived in during his later years. Perhaps more importantly, Memphis is considered by many to be the home of blues music.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 222.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cornersville, TN to Memphis, TN covers 222.7 miles and takes about 4h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Linden Highway, Hampshire Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.4 miles from Cornersville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.82 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 222.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 208.9 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cornersville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
