How far is Memphis, TN from Rutherford, TN?

The driving distance from Memphis, TN to Rutherford, TN is about 121 miles (194.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 90.2 miles (145.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
120.96 mi
02h 20m
Flight
90.17 mi
145.11 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Memphis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
90.17 mi
Kilometers
145.11 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
120.96 mi
Kilometers
194.67 km
Drive Time
02h 20m

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 02h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rutherford
Fri, May 1, 11:32 AM CDT
Return by in Memphis
Fri, May 1, 1:53 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Memphis
2026-05-01T09:12
Arrive Rutherford
Fri, May 1, 11:32 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Memphis
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Brownsville
TN

Town in Haywood County, Tennessee, United States

From Memphis
60.5 mi
01h 10m
To Rutherford
60.5 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
67°F
Friday

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    70.8 mi · 1 hr 17 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Trenton

    843 ft · 21 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    8.4 mi · 11 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    6.2 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Central Avenue

    20.1 mi · 23 min · North Central Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right

    903 ft · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    3135 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  12. 12

    Continue on South Trenton Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · South Trenton Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    32 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
82.8 mi · 68%
North Central Avenue
20.1 mi · 17%
Trenton
14.7 mi · 12%
South Trenton Street
2.26 mi · 2%
North Main Street
0.59 mi
North B. B. King Boulevard
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

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

70.8 mi · 01h 17m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.8 mi
90.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brownsville
01h 10m from Memphis
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Memphis and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rutherford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 121 miles (194.7 km) and usually takes 02h 20m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Brownsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.5 miles from Memphis and 60.5 miles from Rutherford.

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

The direct path is about 90.2 miles (145.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.10 one way or $32.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Memphis and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rutherford.

Stop Ideas Near Brownsville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Brownsville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brownsville.

RAIL

Newbern–Dyersburg

58 mi away
108 Jefferson St
RAIL

Central Station

89 mi away
Central Station
RAIL

Fulton

109 mi away
21 Newton Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Memphis and Rutherford. Straight-line distance: 90.17 mi (145.11 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Rutherford

County in Tennessee, United States

Population1,064
Coordinates36.1275700, -88.9859000
Altitude101
CountryUnited States
Start: Memphis (-90.04898, 35.14953)
End: Rutherford (-88.9859, 36.12757)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 195 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.27 gal
16.16 L · about $16.10
Round trip
$32.20
8.54 gal · 32.32 L
Estimated CO2
37.9 kg one way
Round trip: 75.9 kg / 167 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.10 $32.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.16 $36.32
Premium $4.65 $19.87 $39.75
Diesel $5.30 $22.65 $45.30

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Memphis and Rutherford. The current time is 09:12:06.

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.