Trip from Roan Mountain, TN to Memphis, TN

Drive Time

9h 42m

Distance

519.9 mi

837 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$79

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

9h 33m ★

6 AM

9h 42m

8 AM

10h 0m

10 AM

9h 48m

12 PM

9h 47m

3 PM

9h 49m

5 PM

9h 59m

8 PM

9h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Memphis, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Roan Mountain, TN to Memphis, TN covers 519.9 miles and takes about 9h 42m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 420.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $78.97 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

259.9 miles from Roan Mountain, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 519.9 miles and 9h 42m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are I 40 and I 81.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 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 420.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 148.9 miles in near I 40.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 519.9 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: at 148.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 303.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

148.9 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Nashville

303.7 mi into trip | ~5h 43m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville

305.9 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis

506.2 mi into trip | ~9h 24m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Little Rock

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 10B Toward I 40 West: Little Rock

519.4 mi into trip | ~9h 41m in

Take the exit toward Second Street, Third Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1A Toward Second Street, Third Street

Towns Along This Route

Between Roan Mountain, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.

Nashville

148.9 mi in | ~2h 56m | via I 40

Louisville

306.9 mi in | ~5h 48m | via I 40

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	420.4 mi	7h 39m
I 81	57.1 mi	1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway	15.1 mi	18m
US 19E	10.4 mi	14m
Mary Patton Highway	4.5 mi	7m
US 321	4.3 mi	6m
Gap Creek Road	3.6 mi	6m
Downtown Loop	2.9 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 420.4 mi, about 7h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roan Mountain, TN and Memphis, TN.

Start on Main Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 19E

10 mi · 14 min · US 19E

Turn left onto SR 361

3.6 mi · 6 min · Gap Creek Road

Turn straight onto SR 362

4.5 mi · 7 min · Mary Patton Highway

Turn left onto West G Street

0.4 mi · 51 sec · West G Street

Turn left onto US 321; SR 67

4.3 mi · 6 min · US 321; SR 67

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23

15 mi · 18 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec

Exit 8A Toward I 81 South: Knoxville

Merge onto I 81

56 mi · 1 hr · I 81

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81

Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40

Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 3 min · I 40

Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

0.4 mi · 42 sec · I 40

Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 40

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Downtown Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

2.3 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Exit 210A Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

197 mi · 3 hr 33 min · I 40

Toward I 40 West: Memphis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto I 40

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 40

Exit 10A-B Toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

11 mi · 13 min · I 40

Exit 10B Toward I 40 West: Little Rock Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 40

Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 1A Toward Second Street, Third Street Use the slight right lane.

Continue on North 2nd Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North 2nd Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Poplar Avenue

202 ft · 4 sec · Poplar Avenue

Arrive at destination

Poplar Avenue

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 259.9 miles from Roan Mountain, TN, or about 4h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 420.4 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 114 miles or 2h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 259.9 miles or 4h 56m 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 259.9 miles or 4h 56m

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 8h 34m

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 Roan Mountain, 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 Roan Mountain, TN

Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Memphis, TN

Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 114 miles from Roan Mountain, 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 420.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 259.9 mi from Roan Mountain, TN · 4h 56m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Knoxville, TN

172 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Knoxville, TN to Nashville, TN

180 mi · 3h 20m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Nashville, TN

343 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Nashville, TN

Popular next leg

Nashville, TN to Memphis, TN

212.4 mi · 3h 12m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Johnson, TN

260 mi · about 4.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Johnson, TN after about 260 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Knoxville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 114 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 259.9 miles from Roan Mountain, 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 420.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 260 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Memphis, 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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 286.8

View on nps.gov

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 107.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$78.97 one way

$157.93 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 182 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$87.05	$174.11
premium	$4.80	$98.15	$196.29
diesel	$5.64	$115.50	$231.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$79

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$209–$319

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 181.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $55 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	156	1	$54.59	$24.96
Efficient EV	130	1	$45.49	$20.80
EV Truck/SUV	208	2	$72.79	$33.27

Gas CO2

182 kg

EV CO2

61 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Roan Mountain, TN

Morning in Roan Mountain on Monday

Local time

10:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

Unavailable

Destination

Memphis, TN

Morning in Memphis on Monday

Local time

9:47 AM

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.

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 earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Road read

9h 42m 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 Roan Mountain, TN to Memphis, TN covers 519.9 miles and takes about 9h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

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 260 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 259.9 miles from Roan Mountain, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $78.97 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.

Between Roan Mountain, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.

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Trip from Roan Mountain, TN to Memphis, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Memphis, TN

National Parks Near This Route

Stones River National Battlefield

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Roan Mountain, TN

Memphis, TN

1 hour earlier

9h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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