The drive from Memphis, TN to Jellico, TN covers 401.5 miles and takes about 7h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Clarkrange Highway, I 75 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 299.4 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $62.77 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
200.7 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 54m. Total distance: 401.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 54m highway drive covering 401.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Clarkrange Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 299.4 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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 299.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Clarkrange Highway. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 401.5 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 12.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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
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
9
210.2 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
213.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
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 Jellico, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
Huntsville
210.2 mi in|~3h 50m
Louisville
212.9 mi in|~3h 53m|via I 40
Knoxville
212.9 mi in|~3h 53m|via I 40
Chattanooga
212.9 mi in|~3h 53m|via I 40
Primary Sr 84: Monterey
303 mi in|~5h 31m
Livingston
303 mi in|~5h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
299.4 mi
5h 26m
Clarkrange Highway
21.7 mi
32m
I 75
16.1 mi
17m
Howard H Baker Highway
15.8 mi
24m
Scott Highway
10.1 mi
14m
Nashville Highway
9.7 mi
13m
Deer Lodge Highway
9.5 mi
16m
Morgan County Highway
5.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 299.4 mi, about 5h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Jellico, 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
198 mi·3 hr 34 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 70N, Primary SR 84: Monterey, Livingston
11
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
0.6 mi·59 sec·South Holly Street
12
Turn right onto SR 62
1.4 mi·2 min·East Commercial Avenue
13
Turn straight onto SR 62
22 mi·32 min·Clarkrange Highway
14
Continue on SR 62
9.7 mi·13 min·Nashville Highway
15
Continue on SR 329
2.6 mi·4 min·Deer Lodge Highway
16
Turn right onto SR 329
0.2 mi·20 sec·Irving Street
17
Continue on SR 329
6.9 mi·12 min·Deer Lodge Highway
18
Turn left onto US 27
5.3 mi·6 min·Morgan County Highway
19
Continue on US 27
4.0 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
20
Continue on US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·Lon Foust Highway
21
Continue on US 27
6.1 mi·9 min·Scott Highway
22
Turn right onto SR 63; SR 297
16 mi·24 min·Howard H Baker Highway
23
Continue on SR 63
2.0 mi·3 min·Howard H. Baker Highway
24
Turn left onto Stinking Creek Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Stinking Creek Road
25
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Louisville
26
Merge onto I 75
16 mi·17 min·I 75
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward US 25W: Jellico
28
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·16 sec
29
Turn straight onto US 25W
1.1 mi·1 min·5th Street
30
Turn right onto US 25W
68 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 25W
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 200.7 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.4 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 88 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.7 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jellico, 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 401.5 miles and 7h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 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.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 299.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 200.7 mi from Memphis, TN
· 3h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 200.7 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 I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 299.4 miles.
Arriving in Jellico, TN
The final approach into Jellico, 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 Jellico, 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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 235.4
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 401.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.77 one way
$125.54 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$68.92
$137.84
premium
$4.89
$77.27
$154.53
diesel
$5.61
$88.65
$177.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
6 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Blink Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Brownsville, Tennessee
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Memphis, Tennessee
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 4
Blink: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.4
1
$42.16
$19.27
Efficient EV
100.4
1
$35.13
$16.06
EV Truck/SUV
160.6
2
$56.21
$25.70
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TN
Late night
in Memphis on Friday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jellico, TN
Late night
in Jellico on Friday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Sparta, TN
201 mi in
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
8 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
7h 54m 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 Jellico, TN covers 401.5 miles and takes about 7h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Clarkrange Highway, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 200.7 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 $62.77 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 18 significant decision points across 401.5 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 12.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Memphis, TN and Jellico, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
