Memphis, TN to McEwen, TN is 171 miles and takes about 3h 18m via I 40 and State Highway 13, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically Tennessee, offering a straightforward journey with minimal fuss. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's an ideal trip for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to plan for an overnight stay. You'll find this route efficient if you're looking to cover ground quickly and directly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.5 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 171 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a primarily highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing major roads like I 40, State Highway 13, and US 70. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 145 miles on I 40, which means consistent speed and minimal traffic delays for the bulk of your journey. As you approach McEwen, the character might shift slightly as you transition to State Highway 13, but the overall feel remains one of efficient travel. Expect a direct and functional driving experience for most of the 171 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 145 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and State Highway 13. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North B. B. King Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 18m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 9 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
6
145.4 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward SR 13: Linden, Waverly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143
Toward SR 13: Linden, Waverly
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 McEwen, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Waverly.
Knoxville
12.3 mi in|~15m|via I 40
Waverly
145.4 mi in|~2h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
145 mi
2h 39m
State Highway 13
15.5 mi
23m
US 70
8.3 mi
12m
East Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
South Church Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North B. B. King Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Poplar Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
High Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 145 mi, about 2h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and McEwen, 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
133 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 143Toward SR 13: Linden, Waverly
7
Turn left onto TN 13
15 mi·23 min·State Highway 13
8
Continue on TN 13
0.3 mi·33 sec·South Church Street
9
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·East Main Street
10
Turn left onto East Acre Avenue
114 ft·6 sec·East Acre Avenue
11
Turn right onto US 70
8.3 mi·12 min·US 70
12
Turn left onto High Street
164 ft·7 sec·High Street
13
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart from Memphis. Leaving in the morning will ensure you have ample daylight to complete the 171-mile trip comfortably. You'll encounter one main road change as you transition from I 40, so keep an eye on your GPS for that shift onto State Highway 13. Given the efficient nature of this route and the manageable fuel cost of around $27, you won't need to worry about extensive stops for gas or long breaks.
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 85.5 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145 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 38 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.5 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McEwen, 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 171 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 145 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.5 mi from Memphis, TN
· 1h 35m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
29 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 165.1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
Efficient EV
42.8
0
$14.96
$6.84
EV Truck/SUV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TN
Morning
in Memphis on Friday
Local time
10:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McEwen, TN
Morning
in McEwen on Friday
Local time
10:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Huntingdon, TN
86 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 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
3h 18m 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 McEwen, TN covers 171 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, State Highway 13, US 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.5 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 $26.73 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 18m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 McEwen, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Waverly.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
