South Pittsburg to Memphis is 282.8 miles and takes about 5h 44m via US 72, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the Southeast as well. It's a primarily highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward, single-day trip for most travelers. Given the relatively short duration and focus on main roads, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
141.4 miles from South Pittsburg, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 72
187 mi
3h 39m
US 72 Alternate
59.6 mi
1h 14m
Bill Morris Parkway
13.8 mi
16m
Highway 72
9.5 mi
12m
Lamar Avenue
5.2 mi
8m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
3.3 mi
4m
Poplar Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
South Pauline Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 187 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Pittsburg, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on this road
97 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·3rd Street
3
Turn right onto US 72
96 mi·1 hr 50 min·US 72
Use the right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
60 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on US 72
22 mi·26 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 72
1.5 mi·1 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 72
9.5 mi·12 min·Highway 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 72
1.4 mi·2 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 72
44 mi·52 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Enter roundabout onto US 72
155 ft·1 sec·US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
11
Continue on US 72
13 mi·15 min·US 72
Toward US 72 West: MemphisUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72
8.4 mi·10 min·US 72
Toward Collierville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward TN 385 West, To I-240: Memphis
14
Merge onto TN 385
14 mi·16 min·Bill Morris Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 240 West: Jackson MissUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 240 West: Jackson Mississippi
17
Merge onto I 240
3.3 mi·4 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 21Toward US 78: Lamar Avenue, BirminghamUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward US 78 West: Lamar AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto South Prescott Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·South Prescott Street
21
Turn straight
258 ft·9 sec
22
Turn straight onto US 78
5.2 mi·8 min·Lamar Avenue
23
Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
24
Turn right onto South Pauline Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Pauline Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·Poplar Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under 6 hours and a fuel cost estimate around $44, this is a comfortable one-day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Memphis without feeling rushed, and the single recommended stop allows for a brief break without significant delay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on US 72, as services might be more spread out in some sections. Since it's a shorter, highway-centric route, you have the flexibility to depart a little later if needed, but an early start is always recommended for a relaxed arrival.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 141.4 miles from South Pittsburg, TN, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187 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 62 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.4 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
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 South Pittsburg, 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 South Pittsburg, TN
This is one driving day of about 282.8 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from South Pittsburg, 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 US 72 for about 187 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 95.8 and 275 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
247.9 mi into trip|~4h 56m in|US 72
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 toward Collierville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Collierville, Memphis
7
270.4 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 240 West: Jackson Miss
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 240 West: Jackson Miss
8
274.7 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 78: Lamar Avenue, Birmingham
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 21
Toward US 78: Lamar Avenue, Birmingham
8
275 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 78 West: Lamar Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 78 West: Lamar Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.21 one way
$88.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.54
$97.09
premium
$4.89
$54.42
$108.84
diesel
$5.61
$62.44
$124.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.8
1
$29.69
$13.57
Efficient EV
70.7
0
$24.75
$11.31
EV Truck/SUV
113.1
1
$39.59
$18.10
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 18, 2026
Origin
South Pittsburg, TN
Afternoon
in South Pittsburg on Saturday
Local time
12:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
12:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Florence, AL
141 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.
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
26 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 44m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 97% of the route utilizing main roads. You'll cover a significant 187 miles on US 72 without interruption, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. The inclusion of US 72 Alternate and Bill Morris Parkway means you'll experience a blend of established highways and well-trafficked parkways as you approach your destination. This route generally provides a smooth, direct experience, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 187 mi on US 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and US 72 Alternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.8 miles in near US 72 Alternate; AL 20.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 282.8 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 95.8 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.9 miles (US 72): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Pittsburg, TN and Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Collierville and To I-240: Memphis.
Memphis is the second largest city in the state of Tennessee, after Nashville. The state rests in the southeastern portion of the United States. Memphis, with a population of more than 651,000 (2019), is also the county seat for Shelby County. The city's claims to fame include Graceland, the mansion Elvis Presley lived in during his later years. Perhaps more importantly, Memphis is considered by many to be the home of blues music.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 282.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 187 miles on US 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Memphis, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 95.8 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.9 miles (US 72): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Memphis, TN before the return drive.
