Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
278.7 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Long day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
The drive from Smithville, TN to Memphis, TN covers 278.7 miles and takes about 4h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South 3rd Street, East Broad Street, Old Nashville Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.38 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
139.4 miles from Smithville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 27m drive with frequent turns across 278.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Broad Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Old Nashville Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Nashville Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sparta Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 24 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Downtown Loop | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Smithville, TN and Memphis, TN.
Start on West Market Street
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
Turn right onto East Broad Street
Continue on Old Nashville Highway
Continue on Nashville Highway
Continue on Old Nashville Highway
Continue on Nashville Highway
Continue on Sparta Pike
Take the ramp slight right toward I 40 West: Nashville
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Merge slight right onto Downtown Loop
Continue on Downtown Loop
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Memphis
Take the exit slight right toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Little Rock
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Second Street, Third Street
Continue on North 2nd Street
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.4 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Memphis, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Smithville, 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 Smithville, TN
This is one driving day of about 278.7 miles and 4h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.4 mi from Smithville, TN · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 139.4 miles from Smithville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$41.38 one way
$82.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $46.67 | $93.33 |
| premium | $4.65 | $51.07 | $102.13 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $58.20 | $116.40 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Smithville on Saturday
Local time
3:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
3:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from Smithville, TN or browse trips ending in Memphis, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
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