Origin
Union City, TN
Night in Union City on Sunday
Local time
10:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union City, TN to Memphis, TN
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
110.6 mi
178 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union City, TN
Kelly
Memphis, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Driving from Union City to Memphis covers 110.6 miles through the heart of West Tennessee. You can expect a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, making this a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your journey will take you primarily along US 51, North Main Avenue, and West Reelfoot Boulevard. Budget about $17 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the drive is relatively short and stays entirely within the Southeast region, it offers a manageable pace for travelers looking to move between these two Tennessee hubs without the exhaustion of a cross-country trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.3 miles from Union City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed driving profile, balancing local navigation with regional highway travel. You will spend roughly 36% of your time on highways, providing a blend of steady cruising and slower-paced town driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 40.3 miles on US 51, which serves as the backbone of your route. Expect the character of the road to shift as you transition from the smaller streets of Union City onto the more consistent highway segments before eventually navigating the approach into Memphis.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 51 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (TN 431 / West Reelfoot Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street
Turn left onto TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
TN 431 / West Reelfoot Avenue
Turn right onto TN 431 / West Reelfoot Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
31.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jac...
6
32.2 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51 South: Dyersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 51 South: Dyersburg
5
35.7 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
US 51 Bus; SR 104 / North Main Avenue
Turn right onto US 51 Bus; SR 104 / North Main Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Union City, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
31.2 mi in
|
~39m
|
via US 51
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 51 | 40.3 mi | 58m |
| North Main Avenue | 37.1 mi | 48m |
| West Reelfoot Boulevard | 28.3 mi | 33m |
| West Reelfoot Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South 1st Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Danny Thomas Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Troy Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Sampson Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 40.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, TN and Memphis, TN.
1
Start on East Church Street
74 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Church Street
2
Turn left onto TN 5; TN 21
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 1st Street
3
Turn right onto TN 431
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Reelfoot Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 51
28 mi
·
33 min
·
West Reelfoot Boulevard
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 51
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 51
Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
6
Take the exit onto US 51
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 51
Toward US 51 South: Dyersburg
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn right onto US 51 Bus
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
North Sampson Avenue
8
Turn right onto US 51 Bus
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Gordon Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 51 Bus
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Troy Avenue
10
Turn left onto US 51 Bus; SR 104
178 ft
·
5 sec
·
McGaughey Street
11
Turn right onto US 51 Bus; SR 104
37 mi
·
48 min
·
North Main Avenue
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 51; TN 59
37 mi
·
52 min
·
US 51; TN 59
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Danny Thomas Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto Poplar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Poplar Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 2.5-hour journey, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever suits you best. Plan for at least one stop along the way to break up the 110.6-mile trip and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as setting aside $17 should comfortably cover your gas needs for the duration. Given the reliance on US 51, monitor traffic patterns as you near Memphis to ensure your arrival goes smoothly. Taking advantage of the single recommended stop early in the drive will help keep you alert for the final transition into the city.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 55.3 miles from Union City, TN, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
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 Union City, 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 Union City, TN
This is one driving day of about 110.6 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Union City, 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 51 for about 40.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.3 mi from Union City, TN · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 55.3 miles from Union City, 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
$16.80 one way
$33.60 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.52 | $37.04 |
| premium | $4.80 | $20.88 | $41.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.57 | $49.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.61 | $5.31 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.68 | $4.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.48 | $7.08 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Night in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
10:02 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 30m 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 Union City, TN to Memphis, TN covers 110.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 51, North Main Avenue, West Reelfoot Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.3 miles from Union City, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.80 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (TN 431 / West Reelfoot Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Union City, TN to Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson 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 Union City, TN
More trips to Memphis, TN
Explore more options from Union City, TN or browse trips ending in Memphis, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Union City, TN or Memphis, TN on MapSof.net.