Origin
Memphis, TN
Afternoon in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Memphis, TN to Altamont, TN
Drive Time
5h 42m
Distance
302.7 mi
487 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Memphis, TN
Kelly
Altamont, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 302.7 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Memphis to Altamont typically takes about 5 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day, making it an efficient way to cross the state. Expect to spend approximately $46 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily navigate via I-40 and I-24, eventually transitioning onto the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to reach your destination. Since the entire route remains within the Southeast region, the transition from the Mississippi River delta area to the higher elevations of the Cumberland Plateau is relatively seamless. It is a straightforward, practical route that prioritizes speed and directness over local detours.
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
151.3 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 99% of your time spent on major highways, this trip is defined by consistent, high-speed travel rather than winding backroads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, facing a significant 178.5-mile stretch along I-40 that serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition from the interstate system toward Altamont, the road character shifts from heavy-duty transit corridors to more localized highway infrastructure. While the drive is largely a monotonous interstate grind, the high highway percentage ensures you maintain a reliable pace throughout the day. Prepare for a focused driving experience where maintaining momentum is key to keeping your arrival time within the estimated five-and-a-half-hour window.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 178.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North B. B. King Boulevard.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 302.7 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: near the start (North B. B. King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North B. B. King Boulevard
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 40 East
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
12.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
7
231.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Towns Along This Route
Between Memphis, TN and Altamont, TN, road signs point toward Franklin and Winchester.
Franklin
178.9 mi in
|
~3h 16m
Winchester
284.9 mi in
|
~5h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 178.5 mi | 3h 15m |
| I 24 | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| US 64 | 17.5 mi | 30m |
| North B. B. King Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Pelham Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Cumberland Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 178.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Altamont, TN.
1
Start on Poplar Avenue
190 ft
·
11 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
2
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North B. B. King Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 40 East
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 40
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
167 mi
·
3 hr
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 24
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 24
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 64 West, TN 50: Pelham, Winchester
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 64; SR 50
18 mi
·
30 min
·
US 64; SR 50
12
At end of road, turn left onto SR 56; SR 108
26 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
13
Turn right onto Pelham Road
195 ft
·
13 sec
·
Pelham Road
14
Turn left onto Cumberland Street
182 ft
·
8 sec
·
Cumberland Street
15
Arrive at destination
Cumberland Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the 302.7-mile trek. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion near major metropolitan hubs along I-40 and I-24. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 178.5 miles, ensure your tank is topped off before hitting that segment to avoid unnecessary pauses. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports, which is a significant advantage on this route. If you find yourself tiring, use the Tennessee National Guard Parkway transition as a natural milestone to evaluate your energy levels before reaching Altamont.
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 151.3 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.5 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.3 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altamont, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Memphis, 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 Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 302.7 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Memphis, 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 178.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.3 mi from Memphis, TN · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.3 miles from Memphis, 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 178.5 miles.
Arriving in Altamont, TN
The final approach into Altamont, 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 Altamont, 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
$45.98 one way
$91.95 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $50.68 | $101.37 |
| premium | $4.80 | $57.14 | $114.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $67.25 | $134.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.78 | $14.53 |
| Efficient EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.49 | $12.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.1 | 1 | $42.38 | $19.37 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Altamont, TN
Afternoon in Altamont on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
1 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
5h 42m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Memphis, TN to Altamont, TN covers 302.7 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 24, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.3 miles from Memphis, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.98 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 13 significant decision points across 302.7 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: near the start (North B. B. King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Memphis, TN and Altamont, TN, road signs point toward Franklin and Winchester.
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