How far is Memphis, TN from Cowan, TN?

The driving distance from Memphis, TN to Cowan, TN is about 262.1 miles (421.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 228.1 miles (367.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
262.08 mi
05h 19m
Flight
228.11 mi
367.11 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Memphis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
228.11 mi
Kilometers
367.11 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
262.08 mi
Kilometers
421.78 km
Drive Time
05h 19m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cowan
Sun, Apr 19, 12:41 AM CDT
Return by in Memphis
Sun, Apr 19, 6:00 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Memphis
2026-04-18T19:21
Arrive Cowan
Sun, Apr 19, 12:41 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:19 AM to 1:19 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Memphis
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Clifton
TN

City in Wayne County, Tennessee, United States of America

From Memphis
130.9 mi
02h 39m
To Cowan
131.2 mi
02h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WSW
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Memphis and Cowan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Memphis and Cowan.

  1. 1

    Start on Poplar Avenue

    58 m · 11 sec · Poplar Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard

    1162 ft · 34 sec · North B. B. King Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I 40 East

    553 ft · 14 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    12 mi · 15 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville

    8.1 mi · 9 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Somerville, Bolivar

    948 ft · 23 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 64 East: Somerville, Bolivar, Oakland, Lakeland

    158 m · 13 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    72.8 mi · 1 hr 31 min

  9. 9

    Turn left

    20.4 mi · 30 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Water Street

    2218 ft · 1 min · Water Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Pickwick Street South

    105 m · 12 sec · Pickwick Street South

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Main Street

    736 ft · 21 sec · Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Wayne Road

    31.1 mi · 36 min · Wayne Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard

    1.2 km · 53 sec · Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard

  15. 15

    Continue on United States Route 64

    44.4 mi · 51 min · United States Route 64

  16. 16

    Continue on West College Street

    1.2 km · 49 sec · West College Street

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    66.8 mi · 1 hr 17 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right

    1303 ft · 36 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right

    56 m · 5 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto Cowan Highway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Cowan Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Cumberland Street West

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Cumberland Street West

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Tennessee Avenue North

    3 m · 1 sec · Tennessee Avenue North

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tennessee Avenue North

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Memphis and Cowan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 64 East
72.9 mi · 28%
West College Street
67.8 mi · 26%
United States Route 64
44.4 mi · 17%
Wayne Road
31.1 mi · 12%
I 40 East
20.2 mi · 8%
Cumberland Street West
1.75 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 64 East

Merge slight left

72.8 mi · 01h 31m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34 mi
228.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clifton
02h 39m from Memphis
Leave By
6:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Memphis and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cowan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Memphis to Cowan?

The road trip is about 262.1 miles (421.8 km) and usually takes 05h 19m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Clifton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.9 miles from Memphis and 131.2 miles from Cowan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 228.1 miles (367.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.88 one way or $69.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Memphis and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cowan.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Memphis and Cowan. Straight-line distance: 228.11 mi (367.11 km).

Memphis

#1 Memphis

The twenty-ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Memphis metropolitan area.

Population649,705
Coordinates35.1495300, -90.0489800
Altitude78
CountryUnited States
Cowan

#2 Cowan

Human settlement in Franklin County, Tennessee, United States of America

Population1,668
Coordinates35.1645300, -86.0105400
Altitude297
CountryUnited States
Start: Memphis (-90.04898, 35.14953)
End: Cowan (-86.01054, 35.16453)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 422 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.25 gal
35.01 L · about $34.88
Round trip
$69.76
18.5 gal · 70.02 L
Estimated CO2
82.2 kg one way
Round trip: 164.4 kg / 362 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.88 $69.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $39.34 $78.68
Premium $4.65 $43.05 $86.10
Diesel $5.30 $49.06 $98.12

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Tennessee · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Memphis and Cowan. The current time is 19:21:48.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.