Trip from Dunlap, TN to Memphis, TN

Drive Time

6h 7m

Distance

317.7 mi

511 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 54m ★

6 AM

6h 7m

8 AM

6h 33m

10 AM

6h 16m

12 PM

6h 14m

3 PM

6h 17m

5 PM

6h 32m

8 PM

6h 0m

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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Dunlap, TN

Kelly

Memphis, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Crossing Tennessee from Dunlap to Memphis covers 317.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 7 minutes of driving time. Since this route is heavily focused on major highways, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day, though it requires a steady pace. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to make the trek across the state. Transitioning from the Southeast region of Dunlap toward the western end of the state, you will rely primarily on I-40, the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and the John Bragg Highway. It is a straightforward, efficient transit that prioritizes destination over exploration, making it ideal if you want to reach the Mississippi River 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

158.8 miles from Dunlap, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 81% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 178.1 miles on I-40. The drive shifts from the local connectivity of the John Bragg Highway and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway into the high-speed, consistent flow of the interstate system. Because the vast majority of your time is spent on these main arteries, the road feels purposeful and direct rather than winding or technical. You will find that the character of the pavement remains consistent, allowing you to maintain a steady pace for the duration of the trip.

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

There are about 28 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 178.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 317.7 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 77.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303.8 miles (I 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

77.7 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Take the exit toward I 24 West: Nashville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 24 West: Nashville

84.5 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin

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

Use the right lane. Exit 74A Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin

303.8 mi into trip | ~5h 49m 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...

304 mi into trip | ~5h 49m 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

317.2 mi into trip | ~6h 6m 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 Dunlap, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.

Franklin

84.5 mi in | ~1h 51m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	178.1 mi	3h 14m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway	53.7 mi	58m
John Bragg Highway	15.6 mi	18m
TN 8	12.6 mi	17m
Harrison Ferry Road	12.3 mi	17m
Nashville Highway	10.2 mi	11m
McMinnville Highway	8.1 mi	10m
State Highway 8	7.3 mi	9m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 178.1 mi, about 3h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 127

2.0 mi · 3 min · Rankin Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Continue on TN 8; TN 111

13 mi · 17 min · TN 8; TN 111

Turn left onto TN 8

7.3 mi · 9 min · State Highway 8

Continue on TN 8

12 mi · 17 min · Harrison Ferry Road

Turn slight right onto SR 56

1.3 mi · 1 min · Beersheba Highway

Continue on SR 56

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Colville Street

Turn right onto SR 56

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South Chancery Street

Turn left onto SR 380

0.3 mi · 26 sec · West Morford Street

Continue on SR 380

2.1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

Continue on US 70S

10 mi · 11 min · Nashville Highway

Continue on US 70S

8.1 mi · 10 min · McMinnville Highway

Continue on US 70S; SR 53

1.0 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

Continue on US 70S

16 mi · 18 min · John Bragg Highway

Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard

3.8 mi · 5 min · South Rutherford Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto US 231

0.3 mi · 22 sec · South Church Street

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward I 24 West: Nashville Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 24

6.5 mi · 6 min · I 24

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 74A Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 840

54 mi · 58 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40

165 mi · 2 hr 58 min · I 40

Use the none lane.

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 keep your drive manageable, aim for a morning departure that allows you to arrive in Memphis well before sunset. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the lengthy stretches on I-40. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is calculated at $48, but monitoring your tank during that 178.1-mile interstate segment is essential to avoid unnecessary detours. Because this is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; if you find yourself fatiguing, don't hesitate to add a second quick stop to maintain your focus. Pay close attention to traffic patterns as you approach the Memphis area, as the transition from highway driving to urban navigation can be the most demanding part of the day.

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 158.8 miles from Dunlap, TN, or about 3h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.1 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 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 158.8 miles or 3h 12m 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 2m

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 Dunlap, 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 Dunlap, TN

This is one driving day of about 317.7 miles and 6h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dunlap, 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 178.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 158.8 mi from Dunlap, TN · 3h 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Franklin, TN

159 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

Franklin, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Clarksville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158.8 miles from Dunlap, 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 178.1 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

$48.26 one way

$96.51 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$53.20	$106.39
premium	$4.80	$59.98	$119.95
diesel	$5.64	$70.58	$141.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	95.3	1	$33.36	$15.25
Efficient EV	79.4	0	$27.80	$12.71
EV Truck/SUV	127.1	1	$44.48	$20.33

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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

Dunlap, TN

Evening in Dunlap on Sunday

Local time

6:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Memphis, TN

Evening in Memphis on Sunday

Local time

6:29 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

3 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

6h 7m 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 Dunlap, TN to Memphis, TN covers 317.7 miles and takes about 6h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, John Bragg 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 158.8 miles from Dunlap, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.26 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.

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

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Trip from Dunlap, 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

Dunlap, TN

Memphis, TN

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 7m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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