Origin
Memphis, TN
Afternoon in Memphis on Wednesday
Local time
4:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Memphis, TN to Oak Ridge, TN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
6h 50m
Distance
373.7 mi
601 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 39m
★
6 AM
6h 51m
8 AM
7h 14m
10 AM
6h 59m
12 PM
6h 57m
3 PM
7h 0m
5 PM
7h 13m
8 PM
6h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Oak Ridge, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Memphis, TN to Oak Ridge, TN covers 373.7 miles and takes about 6h 50m 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, Downtown Loop for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.42 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
186.8 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 50m drive with frequent turns across 373.7 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 6h 50m, 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 Oak Ridge, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North B | — | — |
| I 40 East | — | — |
| Downtown Loop | — | — |
| US 27 | — | — |
| Harriman Highway | — | — |
| West Tri County Boulevard | — | — |
| North Illinois Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North B
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Oak Ridge, 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
198 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
7
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
8
Continue on Downtown Loop
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Downtown Loop
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
137 mi
·
2 hr 28 min
·
I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
11
Keep slight right
335 ft
·
8 sec
12
Merge slight left
6.8 mi
·
8 min
13
Keep slight right to continue on Harriman Highway
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Harriman Highway
14
Continue on West Tri County Boulevard
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West Tri County Boulevard
15
Continue on North Illinois Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Illinois 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.8 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 25m 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 82 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.8 miles or 3h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Ridge, 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 373.7 miles and 6h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 186.8 mi from Memphis, TN · 3h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 186.8 miles from Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Oak Ridge, TN
The final approach into Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, 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
$58.42 one way
$116.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $64.15 | $128.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $71.92 | $143.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.51 | $165.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.1 | 1 | $39.24 | $17.94 |
| Efficient EV | 93.4 | 1 | $32.70 | $14.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.5 | 1 | $52.32 | $23.92 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Destination
Oak Ridge, TN
Evening in Oak Ridge on Wednesday
Local time
5:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
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
6h 50m 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 Oak Ridge, TN covers 373.7 miles and takes about 6h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North B, I 40 East, Downtown Loop. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 186.8 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 $58.42 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 1 meaningful break 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 6h 50m, 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 Oak Ridge, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Memphis, TN to Oak Ridge, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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