The drive from Memphis, TN to Pine Crest, TN covers 403.2 miles and takes about 8h behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 40, Harriman Highway, Briceville Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 346.8 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $63.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.6 miles from Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m into the drive
.
Drive Character
This is a 8h highway drive covering 403.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Harriman Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 346.8 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 39 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 346.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 403.2 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 27 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 Pine Crest, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Rockwood.
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
Rockwood
350.4 mi in|~6h 23m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
346.8 mi
6h 18m
Harriman Highway
9.6 mi
10m
Briceville Highway
9 mi
18m
Frost Bottom Road
7.2 mi
12m
US 27
6.8 mi
7m
Pinecrest Road
5.6 mi
21m
I 75
5.4 mi
6m
West Central Avenue
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 346.8 mi, about 6h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Pine Crest, 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
137 mi·2 hr 28 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
11
Keep slight right at fork
335 ft·8 sec
12
Merge onto US 27
6.8 mi·7 min·US 27
13
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
14
Continue on SR 61
1.2 mi·1 min·West Tri County Boulevard
15
Turn right onto SR 330
447 ft·10 sec·Winter Gap Road
16
Turn left onto SR 330
0.2 mi·23 sec·Railroad Avenue
17
Continue on SR 330
0.1 mi·16 sec·Main Street
18
Turn left onto SR 330
0.6 mi·1 min·East Spring Street
19
Continue on SR 330
0.5 mi·1 min·Walden Avenue
20
Continue on SR 330
0.4 mi·49 sec·Dutch Valley Road
21
Turn left onto SR 330
7.2 mi·12 min·Frost Bottom Road
22
Continue on SR 116
5.2 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
23
Continue on SR 116
234 ft·6 sec·Briceville Highway
24
Continue on SR 116
3.8 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
25
At end of road, turn left onto US 25W; SR 116
1.0 mi·2 min·North Main Street
26
Take the ramp onto I 75; US 25W
5.4 mi·6 min·I 75; US 25W
Toward Louisville
27
Take the exit onto US 25W
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 25W
Toward US 25W North, TN 63 East: Caryville, Jacksboro, La Follette
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 25W
239 ft·5 sec·US 25W
29
Merge onto US 25W; TN 63
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Avenue
30
Turn right onto Paris Nance Road
0.2 mi·42 sec·Paris Nance Road
31
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Main Street
32
Turn right onto Liberty Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Liberty Street
33
Turn left onto Island Road
207 ft·12 sec·Island Road
34
Turn right onto Towe String Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Towe String Road
35
Turn slight right onto Pinecrest Road
4.6 mi·17 min·Pinecrest Road
36
Continue on Pinecrest Road
0.2 mi·53 sec·Pinecrest Road
37
Continue on Pinecrest Road
0.7 mi·2 min·Pinecrest Road
38
Turn right onto Fire Department Lane
88 ft·3 sec·Fire Department Lane
39
Arrive at destination
Fire Department Lane
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.6 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 346.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 89 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.6 miles or 3h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 201.6 miles or 3h 40m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Crest, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 202 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Pine Crest, TN
Aim for roughly 202 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Memphis, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 346.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 201.6 mi from Memphis, TN
· 3h 40m into the drive
The midpoint is around 201.6 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 346.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 202 miles or 4 hours on the road.
Arriving in Pine Crest, TN
The final approach into Pine Crest, 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 Pine Crest, TN.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Pine Crest, TN with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 236.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.04 one way
$126.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$69.21
$138.42
premium
$4.89
$77.59
$155.18
diesel
$5.61
$89.02
$178.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$193–$303
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121
1
$42.34
$19.35
Efficient EV
100.8
1
$35.28
$16.13
EV Truck/SUV
161.3
2
$56.45
$25.80
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% 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
Afternoon
in Memphis on Thursday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pine Crest, TN
Evening
in Pine Crest on Thursday
Local time
5:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Sparta, TN
202 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
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
8h on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Pine Crest, TN covers 403.2 miles and takes about 8h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Harriman Highway, Briceville Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 202 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 201.6 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 $63.04 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 27 significant decision points across 403.2 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 Pine Crest, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Rockwood.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
