Origin
Memphis, TN
Night in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
10:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Memphis, TN to Athens, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 19m
Distance
394.3 mi
635 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 9m
★
6 AM
7h 20m
8 AM
7h 41m
10 AM
7h 27m
12 PM
7h 25m
3 PM
7h 28m
5 PM
7h 40m
8 PM
7h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Athens, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Memphis, TN to Athens, TN covers 394.3 miles and takes about 7h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North B, I 40 East, I 840 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $61.64 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
197.1 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 19m drive with frequent turns across 394.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North B is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Memphis, TN to Athens, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North B | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 840 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 24 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 75 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SR 30 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Decatur Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North B
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Athens, TN.
1
Start on Poplar Avenue
190 ft
·
11 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
2
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North B. B. King Boulevard
3
Take the ramp right toward I 40 East
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 40 East
4
Merge slight left
12 mi
·
14 min
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
167 mi
·
3 hr
·
I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24 East: Chattanooga
9
Merge slight left
110 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75 North: Knoxville
11
Merge slight left
47 mi
·
52 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
SR 30: Athens, Decatur
13
Turn right onto Decatur Pike
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Decatur Pike
14
Continue on Green Street
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
Green Street
15
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Washington Avenue
16
Arrive at your destination
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 197.1 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.1 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 394.3 miles and 7h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Memphis, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 197.1 mi from Memphis, 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 197.1 miles from Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Athens, TN
The final approach into Athens, 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 Athens, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.64 one way
$123.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
138 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $67.68 | $135.37 |
| premium | $4.89 | $75.88 | $151.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $87.06 | $174.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118.3 | 1 | $41.40 | $18.93 |
| Efficient EV | 98.6 | 1 | $34.50 | $15.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 157.7 | 1 | $55.20 | $25.24 |
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
Athens, TN
Night in Athens on Tuesday
Local time
11:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
14 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 19m 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 Memphis, TN to Athens, TN covers 394.3 miles and takes about 7h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North B, I 40 East, I 840 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 197.1 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 $61.64 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Memphis, TN to Athens, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Memphis, TN to Athens, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Athens, TN
More trips to Athens, TN
Explore more options from Memphis, TN or browse trips ending in Athens, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Memphis, TN or Athens, TN on MapSof.net.