How far is Memphis, TN from Dayton, TN?
The driving distance from Memphis, TN to Dayton, TN is about 348.5 miles (560.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 284.9 miles (458.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 06h 45m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Dickson County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Memphis and Dayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis and Dayton.
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1
Start on Poplar Avenue
58 m · 11 sec · Poplar Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
1162 ft · 34 sec · North B. B. King Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 40 East
553 ft · 14 sec
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4
Merge slight left
12 mi · 15 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
166.6 mi · 3 hr
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
1.1 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi · 56 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
6.2 mi · 7 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 231 North: Murfreesboro
1308 ft · 37 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto South Church Street
2935 ft · 44 sec · South Church Street
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12
Turn right onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi · 5 min · South Rutherford Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi · 19 min · John Bragg Highway
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14
Continue on West Main Street
1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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15
Continue on McMinnville Highway
8.2 mi · 11 min · McMinnville Highway
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16
Continue on Nashville Highway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Nashville Highway
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17
Continue on West Main Street
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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18
Continue on West Main Street
94 m · 12 sec · West Main Street
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19
Continue on West Main Street
1874 ft · 41 sec · West Main Street
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20
Continue on East Main Street
1884 ft · 43 sec · East Main Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Beersheba Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Beersheba Highway
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22
Turn slight left onto Harrison Ferry Road
12.3 mi · 17 min · Harrison Ferry Road
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23
Continue on State Highway 8
7.3 mi · 10 min · State Highway 8
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24
At the end of the road, turn right
12.6 mi · 17 min
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25
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 14 min
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26
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 6 min
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27
Take the exit slight right
1.4 km · 2 min
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28
Merge slight left
15.8 mi · 19 min
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29
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
946 ft · 23 sec · 3rd Avenue
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30
Turn left onto Church Street
107 m · 18 sec · Church Street
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31
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
92 m · 13 sec · 2nd Avenue
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Memphis and Dayton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
167 mi · 03h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Memphis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Memphis to Dayton?
The road trip is about 348.5 miles (560.8 km) and usually takes 06h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174 miles from Memphis and 174.4 miles from Dayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 284.9 miles (458.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.6 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.38 one way or $92.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Memphis and Dayton, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Memphis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dayton.
Stop Ideas Near Burns
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burns.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Memphis and Dayton. Straight-line distance: 284.9 mi (458.5 km).
#1 Memphis
The twenty-ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Memphis metropolitan area.
| Population | 649,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.1495300, -90.0489800 |
| Altitude | 78 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dayton
City and county seat in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 7,332 |
| Coordinates | 35.4939600, -85.0124500 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dayton (-85.01245, 35.49396)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 561 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $46.38 | $92.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $52.31 | $104.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $57.24 | $114.49 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $65.24 | $130.48 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.