Origin
Louisville, TN
Evening in Louisville on Sunday
Local time
8:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisville, TN to Memphis, TN
Drive Time
7h 15m
Distance
393.3 mi
633 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 5m
★
6 AM
7h 16m
8 AM
7h 37m
10 AM
7h 23m
12 PM
7h 21m
3 PM
7h 24m
5 PM
7h 36m
8 PM
7h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Louisville, TN
Andy Staver
Memphis, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Crossing Tennessee from Louisville to Memphis covers 393.3 miles, a trek that typically takes about 7 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can realistically complete the journey in a single day if you stay focused. You should budget approximately $60 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast hubs. While the drive is straightforward, it is a significant commitment behind the wheel, so decide if you prefer an early start or a more relaxed pace. This trip is an efficient way to traverse the state, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the duration of your travel.
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
196.6 miles from Louisville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a serious interstate grind, as 98% of your journey stays on high-speed roads. You will navigate the Pellissippi Parkway and Topside Road briefly before settling into the long, primary stretch of I-40. In fact, you will spend 374.8 miles of your trip on I-40, making it the dominant feature of your time on the road. The personality of this drive is functional and direct rather than technical or winding. Prepare for a consistent highway experience where maintaining a steady pace is the key to reaching your destination efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 374.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Pellissippi Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 miles in near I 40.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 393.3 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 22.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
22.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
177.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
179.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
8
379.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 58m 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
392.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 14m 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 Louisville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
22.2 mi in
|
~30m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 374.8 mi | 6h 48m |
| Pellissippi Parkway | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Topside Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Louisville Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Honey Rock Way | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 374.8 mi, about 6h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Honey Rock Way
71 ft
·
4 sec
·
Honey Rock Way
2
Turn right onto SR 333
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Louisville Road
3
Turn left onto SR 333
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Topside Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 9
5
Merge onto I 140
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Pellissippi Parkway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South: Nashville, Chattanooga
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge onto I 40; I 75
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi
·
3 hr 33 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
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
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft
·
4 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour and 15-minute duration effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the vast majority of your time is spent on a single interstate, try to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic patterns near urban centers. Given the 374.8-mile stretch on I-40, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when passing through more remote sections of the highway. Because the route is highly predictable, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for daytime versus evening arrival. Make sure to factor in your planned stops when calculating your total arrival time to ensure you don't feel rushed on the road.
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 196.6 miles from Louisville, TN, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 374.8 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 87 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.6 miles or 3h 39m 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 7m
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 Louisville, 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 Louisville, TN
This is one driving day of about 393.3 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Louisville, 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 374.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 196.6 mi from Louisville, TN · 3h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
197 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 196.6 miles from Louisville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 374.8 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
$59.74 one way
$119.48 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
138 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $65.85 | $131.71 |
| premium | $4.80 | $74.25 | $148.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $87.38 | $174.76 |
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: 137.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118 | 1 | $41.30 | $18.88 |
| Efficient EV | 98.3 | 1 | $34.41 | $15.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 157.3 | 1 | $55.06 | $25.17 |
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Destination
Memphis, TN
Evening in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
7:33 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 15m 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 Louisville, TN to Memphis, TN covers 393.3 miles and takes about 7h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Pellissippi Parkway, Topside Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 196.6 miles from Louisville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.74 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 19 significant decision points across 393.3 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 22.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Louisville, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
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