This 384.3-mile journey from Loudon, TN to Memphis, TN is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 7 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-40 and I-75, with a brief stint on the Downtown Loop, this route is heavily focused on highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $60, making it a budget-friendly option for covering significant ground. Given its duration and highway-focused profile, it's very manageable as a one-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entire trip.
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
192.1 miles from Loudon, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 4m. Total distance: 384.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive for 97% of this 384.3-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on interstates, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 367.2 miles, mostly on I-40, meaning you can settle in for long periods of steady driving. While not a route defined by winding backroads, its highway nature ensures a straightforward and predictable experience behind the wheel, minimizing complex navigation.
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.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 367.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 168.1 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 17 significant decision points across 384.3 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 168.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
170.2 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
173.6 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
370.6 mi into trip|~6h 46m 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
383.8 mi into trip|~7h 3m 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 Loudon, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
171.3 mi in|~3h 9m|via I 40
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
367.2 mi
6h 40m
I 75
7.4 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
East Lee Highway
2.3 mi
3m
Sugar Limb Road
2 mi
3m
Grove Street
0.7 mi
1m
Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. Loudon County Veterans Memorial Bridge
0.5 mi
<1m
North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 367.2 mi, about 6h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Loudon, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Blair Street
41 ft·8 sec·Blair Street
2
Turn left onto Grove Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Grove Street
3
Turn right onto US 11
0.1 mi·9 sec·Mulberry Street
4
Continue on US 11
0.5 mi·44 sec·Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. Loudon County Veterans Memorial Bridge
5
Continue on US 11
2.3 mi·3 min·East Lee Highway
6
Turn left onto SR 324
2.0 mi·3 min·Sugar Limb Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
8
Merge onto I 75
7.4 mi·7 min·I 75
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
154 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
16
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
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1AToward Second Street, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft·4 sec·Poplar Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Loudon, TN, to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With only 2 recommended stops and a longest stretch of over 360 miles, plan your breaks strategically. You might want to stop around the halfway point to refuel and stretch your legs, as the longest stretch of continuous driving is quite extensive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're deep into the 367.2-mile segment on I-40, as services can be more spread out in certain areas.
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 192.1 miles from Loudon, TN, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 367.2 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.1 miles or 3h 33m 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 56m
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 Loudon, 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 Loudon, TN
This is one driving day of about 384.3 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Loudon, 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 367.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 192.1 mi from Loudon, TN
· 3h 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 192.1 miles from Loudon, 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 367.2 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.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 159
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.08 one way
$120.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$65.97
$131.93
premium
$4.89
$73.96
$147.91
diesel
$5.61
$84.85
$169.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.3
1
$40.35
$18.45
Efficient EV
96.1
1
$33.63
$15.37
EV Truck/SUV
153.7
1
$53.80
$24.60
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Loudon, TN
Morning
in Loudon on Friday
Local time
9:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Morning
in Memphis on Friday
Local time
8:21 AM
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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 4m 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 Loudon, TN to Memphis, TN covers 384.3 miles and takes about 7h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 75, Downtown Loop. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 192.1 miles from Loudon, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.08 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 17 significant decision points across 384.3 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 168.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Loudon, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
