Memphis to Chapel Hill is 220 miles and takes about 4 hours 17 minutes via US 412 and I-40, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Tennessee, moving you from the western part of the state eastward. Expect a very highway-focused experience for most of the journey, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. With only one recommended stop and a high percentage of highway driving, this route is ideal if you're looking for a straightforward trip with minimal 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
110 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 220 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roads like US 412, I-40, and SR 99. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 112.9 miles on US 412, which means you can settle in and make good time. The character of the drive is predominantly fast-paced highway travel. While the specific scenery isn't highlighted, the high highway share suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than winding country roads or urban exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 412 is the longest continuous segment at about 112.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and I 40. 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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 220 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 points
These 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
5
96 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward 152: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 93
Toward 152: Lexington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Memphis, TN and Chapel Hill, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and 152: Lexington.
Knoxville
12.3 mi in|~15m|via I 40
152: Lexington
96 mi in|~1h 47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
112.9 mi
2h 13m
I 40
95.6 mi
1h 46m
SR 99
7.5 mi
11m
Nashville Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Lewisburg and Franklin Pike
0.8 mi
1m
Law Road
0.7 mi
<1m
South Horton Parkway
0.3 mi
<1m
North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 112.9 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Chapel Hill, 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 EastUse 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
84 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 93Toward 152: Lexington
7
Turn right onto SR 152
0.7 mi·49 sec·Law Road
8
Turn left onto US 412
10 mi·11 min·US 412
9
Turn left onto US 412
7.5 mi·8 min·US 412
10
Continue on US 412;SR 114
3.5 mi·3 min·US 412;SR 114
11
Merge onto US 412; SR 114
16 mi·17 min·US 412; SR 114
12
Continue on US 412; SR 100
14 mi·16 min·US 412; SR 100
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
44 mi·51 min·US 412
14
Take the exit onto US 412
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 412
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
18 mi·21 min·US 412
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 431; SR 99
0.8 mi·1 min·Lewisburg and Franklin Pike
17
Turn left onto SR 99
7.5 mi·11 min·SR 99
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 31A; SR 99
1.6 mi·2 min·Nashville Highway
19
Continue on US 31A; SR 99
0.3 mi·30 sec·South Horton Parkway
20
Arrive at destination
US 31A; SR 99
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 17 minute estimated duration, leaving Memphis in the morning will comfortably get you to Chapel Hill well before evening. You'll want to plan for only one stop, so consider a mid-way point for a break and to refuel if needed. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 112 miles on US 412, so ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before embarking on that segment. Your fuel cost is estimated at $34, which is a good benchmark for budgeting.
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 110 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.9 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 48 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chapel Hill, 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 220 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 US 412 for about 112.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110 mi from Memphis, TN
· 2h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 110 miles from Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 412 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.9 miles.
Arriving in Chapel Hill, TN
The final approach into Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, 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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 220
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.39 one way
$68.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.76
$75.53
premium
$4.89
$42.34
$84.67
diesel
$5.61
$48.57
$97.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66
0
$23.10
$10.56
Efficient EV
55
0
$19.25
$8.80
EV Truck/SUV
88
1
$30.80
$14.08
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
12:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chapel Hill, TN
Late night
in Chapel Hill on Saturday
Local time
12:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
27 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
4h 17m 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 Chapel Hill, TN covers 220 miles and takes about 4h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 412, I 40, SR 99. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110 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 $34.39 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 220 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 Chapel Hill, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and 152: Lexington.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
