How far is Memphis, TN from South Carthage, TN?
The driving distance from Memphis, TN to South Carthage, TN is about 266.1 miles (428.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 242 miles (389.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 50m 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 04h 55m.
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.
City in Humphreys County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Memphis and South Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis and South Carthage.
-
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
47.5 mi · 52 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward TN 53: Carthage, Gordonsville
1027 ft · 34 sec
-
11
Turn left onto Gordonsville Highway
4.1 mi · 6 min · Gordonsville Highway
-
12
Turn slight right
1034 ft · 38 sec
-
13
Keep slight left
53 m · 12 sec
-
14
Turn left onto Cookeville Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Cookeville Highway
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cookeville Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Memphis and South Carthage.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Memphis and Chance Rain Showers near South Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Memphis to South Carthage?
The road trip is about 266.1 miles (428.2 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?
New Johnsonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.8 miles from Memphis and 133.2 miles from South Carthage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 242 miles (389.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 7:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.41 one way or $70.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Memphis and Chance Rain Showers near South Carthage.
Stop Ideas Near New Johnsonville
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 New Johnsonville.
Clarksville, TN
Fulton
Nashville, TN
Newbern–Dyersburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Memphis and South Carthage. Straight-line distance: 241.94 mi (389.37 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 South Carthage
Town in Smith County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 1,406 |
| Coordinates | 36.2420000, -85.9519300 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Carthage (-85.95193, 36.242)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 428 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.41 | $70.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.94 | $79.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.70 | $87.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.80 | $99.61 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.