Major Highways & Driving Tips in Memphis, Tennessee, United States
1. Interstate 40 (I-40)
A major east-west route connecting Memphis to cities like Nashville and Oklahoma City. Known for its iconic Beale Street Overpass.
- Major Cross-Country Connection: Offers direct access to numerous destinations across the U.S.
- Beale Street Overpass: Distinctive bridge connecting downtown Memphis and Beale Street.
- Traffic Congestion: Expect heavy traffic during peak travel times.
2. Interstate 55 (I-55)
North-south route connecting Memphis to cities like St. Louis and Chicago. Known for its proximity to Graceland and the Mississippi River.
- Graceland Access: Offers easy access to Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion.
- Mississippi River View: Provides scenic views of the mighty Mississippi River.
- Rush Hour Traffic: Expect traffic congestion during peak travel times.
3. Interstate 240 (I-240)
Circular route around Memphis that connects I-40 and I-55. Known for its loop design, providing easy access to various city destinations.
- Circular Route: Simplifies travel within the city and to major highways.
- Easy Destination Access: Provides quick access to various points of interest in Memphis.
- Traffic Management: Careful traffic management is required due to the loop design and heavy city traffic.
4. Interstate 269 (I-269)
Circular route around the Memphis metropolitan area. Known for its loop design, providing easy access to various suburban destinations.
- Suburban Access: Simplifies travel within the greater Memphis metropolitan area.
- Easy Destination Access: Provides quick access to various points of interest in suburban areas.
- Traffic Management: Careful traffic management is required due to the loop design and heavy suburban traffic.
5. US-78 (Union Avenue)
A major north-south route running through downtown Memphis. Known for its vibrant Beale Street entertainment district and historic buildings.
- Entertainment District: Offers access to the famous Beale Street entertainment district.
- Historic Buildings: Features a collection of historic buildings and landmarks.
- City Traffic: Expect heavy city traffic, especially during peak travel times.
6. US-51 (Walker Avenue)
A major north-south route connecting downtown Memphis to southern suburbs. Known for its proximity to the National Civil Rights Museum.
- Museum Access: Offers easy access to the National Civil Rights Museum.
- Scenic Views: Provides scenic views of downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River.
- City Traffic: Expect heavy city traffic, especially during peak travel times.
7. US-64 (East & West Memphis Expressway)
A major east-west route connecting Memphis and West Memphis, Arkansas. Known for its convenient access to the Mississippi River Bridge.
- Interstate Access: Provides easy access to I-40, I-55, and I-269.
- Mississippi River Bridge: Offers convenient access to the Mississippi River Bridge.
- Cross-Border Travel: Facilitates travel between Memphis and West Memphis, Arkansas.
8. US-72 (Winchester Road)
A major north-south route connecting Memphis to Tupelo, Mississippi. Known for its scenic views and proximity to the Tennessee-Mississippi state line.
- Scenic Views: Provides beautiful views of rural landscapes.
- State Line Access: Offers easy access to the Tennessee-Mississippi state line.
- Long Distance Travel: Ideal for long distance travel between Memphis and Tupelo, Mississippi.
9. TN-3 (Poplar Avenue)
A major east-west route connecting downtown Memphis to eastern suburbs. Known for its commercial and residential districts.
- Commercial District: Features a variety of shops, restaurants, and offices.
- Residential Districts: Provides access to various residential neighborhoods.
- City Traffic: Expect heavy city traffic, especially during peak travel times.
10. TN-78 (Germantown Parkway)
A major north-south route connecting eastern suburbs to central Memphis. Known for its upscale shopping and dining destinations.
- Shopping & Dining: Features numerous upscale shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
- Suburban Traffic: Expect heavy suburban traffic, especially during peak travel times.
- Easy City Access: Provides easy access to central Memphis and downtown.
11. TN-246 (Airways Boulevard)
A major east-west route connecting eastern suburbs to the Memphis International Airport. Known for its convenient access to shopping and dining destinations.
- Airport Access: Offers easy access to the Memphis International Airport.
- Shopping & Dining: Features numerous shopping and dining options along the route.
- Suburban Traffic: Expect heavy suburban traffic, especially during peak travel times.
12. I-24 (North-South Interstate)
A north-south route connecting Memphis to cities like Nashville and Birmingham. Known for its proximity to the Mississippi River.
- Cross-Country Connection: Offers direct access to numerous destinations across the U.S.
- Mississippi River View: Provides scenic views of the mighty Mississippi River.
- Heavy Traffic: Expect heavy traffic during peak travel times.
13. I-69 (North-South Interstate)
A north-south route connecting Memphis to cities like Louisville and Indianapolis. Known for its proximity to the Mississippi River.
- Cross-Country Connection: Offers direct access to numerous destinations across the U.S.
- Mississippi River View: Provides scenic views of the mighty Mississippi River.
- Heavy Traffic: Expect heavy traffic during peak travel times.
14. I-22 (East-West Interstate)
An east-west route connecting Memphis to cities like Dallas and Fort Worth. Known for its proximity to the Mississippi River.
- Cross-Country Connection: Offers direct access to numerous destinations across the U.S.
- Mississippi River View: Provides scenic views of the mighty Mississippi River.
- Long Distance Travel: Ideal for long distance travel between Memphis and cities like Dallas and Fort Worth.
15. I-269 (East-West Loop Interstate)
An east-west loop route around the Memphis metropolitan area. Known for its easy access to various suburban destinations.
- Suburban Access: Simplifies travel within the greater Memphis metropolitan area.
- Easy Destination Access: Provides quick access to various points of interest in suburban areas.
- Traffic Management: Careful traffic management is required due to the loop design and heavy suburban traffic.