Tennessee → Louisiana · Interstate 40 / Interstate 55
The drive from Memphis, Tennessee, to New Orleans, Louisiana, covers about 682 km (424 miles) along Interstate 40 / Interstate 55, with an estimated travel time of 6h 30m in normal traffic conditions. Memphis is the Mississippi River blues capital and the global FedEx superhub, while New Orleans stands out as the Mississippi River delta port and the birthplace of jazz music. Sales reps, consultants, real-estate agents and field service professionals who run this route regularly typically depart at sunrise to clear the urban congestion before rush hour and arrive in time for scheduled morning meetings. It also pays to scout two or three reliable fuel-and-rest stops along the way before departure. Assuming average fuel economy of about 26 mpg on regular unleaded, the trip burns roughly 62 liters (16.4 gallons), costing about $57.04 at typical pump prices. For mileage reimbursement, applying the IRS standard mileage rate (2025) of $0.43/km ($0.69/mile) yields a one-way payout of $293.26. Keep the trip log, business purpose, odometer readings, and exact route documented in your Clara receipt for IRS compliance and internal audit defensibility.