How far is Memphis, TN from Lafayette, TN?
The driving distance from Memphis, TN to Lafayette, TN is about 279.2 miles (449.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 253.5 miles (408 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 10m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Perry County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Memphis and Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis and Lafayette.
-
1
Start on Poplar Avenue
58 m · 11 sec · Poplar Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
1162 ft · 34 sec · North B. B. King Boulevard
-
3
Take the ramp right toward I 40 East
553 ft · 14 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
12 mi · 15 min
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
197.9 mi · 3 hr 34 min
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
1305 ft · 25 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
-
8
Continue on Downtown Loop
2764 ft · 43 sec · Downtown Loop
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
57.3 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward TN 96: Center Hill Dam
731 ft · 24 sec
-
11
Turn left onto Buffalo Valley Highway
3 mi · 5 min · Buffalo Valley Highway
-
12
Continue on Chestnut Mound Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Chestnut Mound Road
-
13
Turn right onto Nashville Highway
4.8 mi · 7 min · Nashville Highway
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nashville Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Memphis and Lafayette.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
198 mi · 03h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Memphis and Partly Sunny near Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Memphis to Lafayette?
The road trip is about 279.2 miles (449.4 km) and usually takes 05h 10m 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?
Lobelville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.4 miles from Memphis and 139.8 miles from Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 253.5 miles (408 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 6:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.14 one way or $74.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Memphis and Partly Sunny near Lafayette.
Stop Ideas Near Lobelville
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 Lobelville.
Clarksville, TN
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Memphis and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 253.51 mi (407.98 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 Lafayette
Lafayette is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 36.1858900, -85.7160900 |
| Altitude | 303 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lafayette (-85.71609, 36.18589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 449 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.14 | $74.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.89 | $83.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.84 | $91.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.24 | $104.49 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.