Origin
Ridgely, TN
Evening in Ridgely on Tuesday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ridgely, TN to Memphis, TN
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
93.1 mi
150 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ridgely, TN
Kelly
Memphis, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ridgely to Memphis covers 114.9 miles across the southeastern corner of Tennessee. You should budget approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes for this transit, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel cost estimate of $17, the journey is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. You will navigate primarily through local roads, as this route avoids highway travel entirely. Because the drive is relatively short, it offers the flexibility to head out in the morning and arrive in the city by midday. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar geographic context throughout the entire duration of the trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Ridgely, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will navigate via Depot Street, South Main Street, and Poplar Street rather than cruising along high-speed interstates. With a 0% highway share, the experience is defined by constant maneuvering rather than long, monotonous stretches of pavement. In fact, your longest uninterrupted stretch on Depot Street is 0 miles, confirming that this is an active, hands-on driving experience. As you transition from the local streets of Ridgely into the urban environment of Memphis, the road surface and traffic density will require you to stay alert and ready for frequent adjustments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
United States Route 51 is the longest continuous segment at about 76.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Route 51 and State Route 78. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Depot Street.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ridgely, TN to Memphis, TN is easy. At 2h 10m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Depot Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Poplar Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Depot Street
Turn right onto Depot Street
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Poplar Street
Turn left onto Poplar Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
TN 78 / South Headden Drive
Turn right onto TN 78 / South Headden Drive
Navigation decision point
4
16.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 51 / United States Route 51
Turn right onto US 51 / United States Route 51
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| United States Route 51 | 76.1 mi | 1h 44m |
| State Route 78 | 14.1 mi | 19m |
| Lake Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Danny Thomas Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Poplar Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Poplar Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Headden Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
United States Route 51
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgely, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on this road
61 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Depot Street
155 ft
·
6 sec
·
Depot Street
3
Turn right onto South Main Street
211 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Turn left onto Poplar Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Poplar Street
5
Turn right onto TN 78
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Headden Drive
6
Continue on TN 78
14 mi
·
19 min
·
State Route 78
7
Continue on TN 78
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Road
8
Turn right onto US 51
76 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
United States Route 51
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Danny Thomas Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto Poplar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 114.9-mile trek, you have plenty of scheduling freedom to depart whenever suits your itinerary best. You won't need to worry about complex stop planning since the route is designed to be completed in one go without mandatory breaks. Before you head out, ensure your vehicle is fueled up, as the $17 estimate assumes a direct trip without unnecessary detours. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, keep your GPS updated to navigate the transition between Depot, South Main, and Poplar Streets accurately. Embracing the lack of highway miles means you can enjoy a more grounded pace, so keep your eyes on the local signage as you make your way toward Memphis.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.6 miles from Ridgely, TN, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.1 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 80 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Memphis, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ridgely, 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 Ridgely, TN
This is one driving day of about 93.1 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ridgely, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on United States Route 51 for about 76.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.6 mi from Ridgely, TN · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.4 miles from Ridgely, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Memphis, TN
The final approach into Memphis, 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 Memphis, 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
$14.56 one way
$29.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.98 | $31.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.92 | $35.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.56 | $41.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.78 | $4.47 |
| Efficient EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.15 | $3.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.03 | $5.96 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Memphis, TN
Evening in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
3 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
2h 10m 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 Ridgely, TN to Memphis, TN covers 93.1 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are United States Route 51, State Route 78, Lake Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.6 miles from Ridgely, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Ridgely, TN to Memphis, TN is easy. At 2h 10m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Depot Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Poplar Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Ridgely, TN to Memphis, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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