Origin
Memphis, TN
Night in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Memphis, TN to Central, TN
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
55.8 mi
90 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Central, TN
Diego Girón
Trip Overview
The drive from Memphis, TN to Central, TN covers 55.8 miles and takes about 1h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 51, Thomas Street, Edith-Nankipoo Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.8 miles on US 51. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.72 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
27.9 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 22m highway drive covering 55.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and Thomas Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 36.8 miles on US 51.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 51 is the longest continuous segment at about 36.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and Thomas Street. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Poplar Avenue.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Memphis, TN to Central, TN is easy. At 1h 22m with 66% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Poplar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (US 51 / North Danny Thomas Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 53 miles (Edith-Nankipoo Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Poplar Avenue
Depart onto Poplar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 51 / North Danny Thomas Boulevard
Turn left onto US 51 / North Danny Thomas Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
3
53 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
Edith-Nankipoo Road
Turn left onto Edith-Nankipoo Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 51 | 36.8 mi | 53m |
| Thomas Street | 15.2 mi | 19m |
| Edith-Nankipoo Road | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| North Danny Thomas Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Poplar Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 36.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Central, TN.
1
Start on Poplar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto US 51
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Danny Thomas Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Thomas Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 51
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 51
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on US 51
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
US 51
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 51
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 51
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 51
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
US 51
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 51; TN 59
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US 51; TN 59
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto Edith-Nankipoo Road
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Edith-Nankipoo Road
10
Arrive at destination
Edith-Nankipoo Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 27.9 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.8 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 55.8 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.9 miles or 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 1h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central, 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 55.8 miles and 1h 22m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 51 for about 36.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.9 mi from Memphis, TN · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 55.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Central, TN
The final approach into Central, 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 Central, 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
$8.72 one way
$17.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.58 | $19.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.74 | $21.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.32 | $24.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.86 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.88 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Central, TN
Night in Central on Tuesday
Local time
10:19 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Central, TN covers 55.8 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 51, Thomas Street, Edith-Nankipoo 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 27.9 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 $8.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Memphis, TN to Central, TN is easy. At 1h 22m with 66% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Poplar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (US 51 / North Danny Thomas Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 53 miles (Edith-Nankipoo Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Memphis, TN to Central, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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