Origin
Rockwood, TN
Night in Rockwood on Sunday
Local time
9:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockwood, TN to Memphis, TN
Drive Time
6h 25m
Distance
346.4 mi
558 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 13m
★
6 AM
6h 25m
8 AM
6h 50m
10 AM
6h 34m
12 PM
6h 32m
3 PM
6h 35m
5 PM
6h 49m
8 PM
6h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockwood, TN
Kelly
Memphis, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Crossing Tennessee from Rockwood to Memphis covers 346.4 miles of the state’s heartland. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 6 hours and 25 minutes, making this a manageable, albeit long, day trip for most travelers. Since the route is almost entirely highway-focused, you will stay on I-40 for the vast majority of your journey. Budgeting around $53 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Whether you are heading west for business or a quick getaway, the consistency of this interstate route allows for straightforward navigation across the Southeast. While it can be done in a single day, be prepared for a significant amount of time behind the wheel.
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
173.2 miles from Rockwood, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 98% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. Your journey is dominated by a 328.5-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the backbone of your travel between these two Tennessee cities. The drive begins with the rolling terrain typical of East Tennessee before transitioning into the flatter landscapes found toward the Mississippi River. Because you are sticking to major interstates and the Downtown Loop, you won't encounter many technical local roads. It is a steady, predictable pace that favors efficiency over winding backroads, allowing you to cover significant ground quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 328.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 130.3 miles in near I 40.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 346.4 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 130.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
130.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
132.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m 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
7
135.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
8
332.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m 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
8
346 mi into trip
|
~6h 24m 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
On the drive from Rockwood, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
133.5 mi in
|
~2h 31m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 328.5 mi | 5h 58m |
| US 70 | 12.2 mi | 18m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| South Gateway Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Rockwood Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 328.5 mi, about 5h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockwood, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on North Kingston Avenue
201 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Kingston Avenue
2
Turn right onto East Rockwood Street
348 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Rockwood Street
3
Turn left onto US 27; US 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Gateway Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 70
12 mi
·
18 min
·
US 70
5
Turn left onto Market Street
520 ft
·
11 sec
·
Market Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
7
Merge onto I 40
116 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 1A
Toward Second Street, Third Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
202 ft
·
4 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs during the 346.4-mile trek. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion as you approach the Memphis Downtown Loop. Since the longest stretch spans 328.5 miles on I-40, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the highway to avoid unnecessary deviations. If you find the 6-hour and 25-minute duration too taxing for a single session, consider finding a midway point along I-40 to break up the journey. Monitoring traffic reports specifically for the entrance into the Memphis area will help you navigate the final miles of your trip with ease.
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 173.2 miles from Rockwood, TN, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 328.5 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.2 miles or 3h 14m 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 17m
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 Rockwood, 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 Rockwood, TN
This is one driving day of about 346.4 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rockwood, 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 328.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.2 mi from Rockwood, TN · 3h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 173.2 miles from Rockwood, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 328.5 miles.
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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.61 one way
$105.23 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $58.00 | $116.00 |
| premium | $4.80 | $65.39 | $130.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $76.96 | $153.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.9 | 1 | $36.37 | $16.63 |
| Efficient EV | 86.6 | 0 | $30.31 | $13.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.6 | 1 | $48.50 | $22.17 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Memphis, TN
Evening in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
8:46 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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
6h 25m 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 Rockwood, TN to Memphis, TN covers 346.4 miles and takes about 6h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 70, Downtown Loop. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.2 miles from Rockwood, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.61 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 346.4 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: at 130.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Rockwood, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Memphis, TN
More from Rockwood, TN
More trips to Memphis, TN
Explore more options from Rockwood, TN or browse trips ending in Memphis, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Rockwood, TN or Memphis, TN on MapSof.net.