The drive from Jellico, TN to Memphis, TN covers 401.1 miles and takes about 7h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Deer Lodge Highway East, Howard H Baker Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 300.1 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $62.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
200.6 miles from Jellico, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 54m. Total distance: 401.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 54m highway drive covering 401.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Deer Lodge Highway East. The longest continuous stretch is about 300.1 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 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 300.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Deer Lodge Highway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 184.9 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 401.1 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 184.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
184.9 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
187.1 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
7
190.4 mi into trip|~4h 3m 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
8
387.4 mi into trip|~7h 37m 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
8
400.6 mi into trip|~7h 53m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Jellico, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
188.2 mi in|~4h|via I 40
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
300.1 mi
5h 28m
Deer Lodge Highway East
21.8 mi
32m
Howard H Baker Highway
15.8 mi
24m
I 75
15.8 mi
16m
Scott Highway
10.1 mi
13m
Nashville Highway
9.7 mi
13m
Deer Lodge Highway
9.5 mi
16m
Morgan County Highway
5.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 300.1 mi, about 5h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jellico, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 25W
68 ft·8 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 25W
1.0 mi·1 min·5th Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward Knoxville
4
Merge onto I 75
16 mi·16 min·I 75
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Stinking Creek Road
6
Turn left onto Stinking Creek Road
2.1 mi·5 min·Stinking Creek Road
7
Turn right onto SR 63
2.0 mi·2 min·Howard H. Baker Highway
8
Continue on SR 63
16 mi·24 min·Howard H Baker Highway
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 27
3.5 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
10
Continue on US 27
2.6 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
11
Continue on US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·Lon Foust Highway
12
Continue on US 27
4.0 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
13
Continue on US 27
5.3 mi·6 min·Morgan County Highway
14
Turn right onto SR 329
6.9 mi·12 min·Deer Lodge Highway
15
Continue on SR 329
0.2 mi·25 sec·Irving Street
16
Turn left onto SR 329
2.6 mi·4 min·Deer Lodge Highway
17
Continue on SR 62
9.7 mi·13 min·Nashville Highway
18
Continue on SR 62
22 mi·32 min·Deer Lodge Highway East
19
Turn straight onto SR 62
1.3 mi·2 min·East Commercial Avenue
20
Turn left onto SR 84
0.7 mi·58 sec·South Holly Street
21
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
366 ft·7 sec·Monterey Highway
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
23
Merge onto I 40
87 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi·3 hr 33 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
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
30
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.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
33
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
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 200.6 miles from Jellico, TN, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 300.1 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 88 miles or 2h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.6 miles or 4h 14m 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 46m
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 Jellico, 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 Jellico, TN
This is one driving day of about 401.1 miles and 7h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Jellico, 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 300.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 200.6 mi from Jellico, TN
· 4h 14m into the drive
The midpoint is around 202.8 miles from Jellico, 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.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 166
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.71 one way
$125.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$68.85
$137.70
premium
$4.89
$77.19
$154.38
diesel
$5.61
$88.56
$177.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.3
1
$42.12
$19.25
Efficient EV
100.3
1
$35.10
$16.04
EV Truck/SUV
160.4
2
$56.15
$25.67
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jellico, TN
Late night
in Jellico on Friday
Local time
1:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Friday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Sparta, TN
201 mi in
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
8 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 54m 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 Jellico, TN to Memphis, TN covers 401.1 miles and takes about 7h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Deer Lodge Highway East, Howard H Baker 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 200.6 miles from Jellico, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.71 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 401.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 184.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Jellico, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
