How far is Dayton, TN from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance from Dayton, TN to Memphis, TN is about 359.2 miles (578.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 284.9 miles (458.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dayton and Memphis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton and Memphis.
-
1
Start on 2nd Avenue
48 m · 11 sec · 2nd Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto Market Street
105 m · 14 sec · Market Street
-
3
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
1270 ft · 22 sec · 3rd Avenue
-
4
Turn right
15.8 mi · 18 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right
2468 ft · 1 min
-
6
Merge slight left
5.4 mi · 6 min
-
7
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 14 min
-
8
Continue straight
12.6 mi · 17 min
-
9
Turn left onto State Highway 8
7.3 mi · 10 min · State Highway 8
-
10
Continue on Harrison Ferry Road
12.3 mi · 17 min · Harrison Ferry Road
-
11
Turn slight right onto Beersheba Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Beersheba Highway
-
12
Continue on East Colville Street
2452 ft · 46 sec · East Colville Street
-
13
Turn right onto South Chancery Street
645 ft · 20 sec · South Chancery Street
-
14
Turn left onto West Morford Street
1334 ft · 27 sec · West Morford Street
-
15
Continue on West Main Street
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
-
16
Continue on Nashville Highway
10.2 mi · 12 min · Nashville Highway
-
17
Continue on McMinnville Highway
8.1 mi · 11 min · McMinnville Highway
-
18
Continue on East Main Street
1 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
-
19
Continue on John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi · 18 min · John Bragg Highway
-
20
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi · 5 min · South Rutherford Boulevard
-
21
Turn left onto South Church Street
1729 ft · 23 sec · South Church Street
-
22
Take the exit right toward I 24 West: Nashville
1909 ft · 47 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
6.5 mi · 7 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
1.4 km · 2 min
-
25
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi · 58 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
-
26
Merge slight left
164.8 mi · 2 hr 58 min
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
680 ft · 9 sec
-
28
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Little Rock
11.1 mi · 13 min
-
29
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 3 min
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward Second Street, Third Street
1209 ft · 30 sec
-
31
Continue on North 2nd Street
1062 ft · 31 sec · North 2nd Street
-
32
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
62 m · 4 sec · Poplar Avenue
-
33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Poplar Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dayton and Memphis.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge slight left
165 mi · 02h 58m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Dayton and Showers And Thunderstorms near Memphis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dayton to Memphis?
The road trip is about 359.2 miles (578.1 km) and usually takes 05h 33m 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?
Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.2 miles from Dayton and 185 miles from Memphis.
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 74.3 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.78 one way or $95.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Dayton and Memphis, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Dayton and Showers And Thunderstorms near Memphis.
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 Dayton and Memphis. Straight-line distance: 284.9 mi (458.5 km).
#1 Dayton
City and county seat in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States
| Population | 7,332 |
| Coordinates | 35.4939600, -85.0124500 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Poplar Avenue (-90.048923, 35.149674)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 578 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $47.78 | $95.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $53.89 | $107.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $58.97 | $117.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $67.20 | $134.40 |
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 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.