Take a fast-paced ride through the urban sprawl of Memphis as we head west along Interstate 240, a critical bypass loop skirting the city’s eastern and southern edges. Our journey begins at the sprawling stack interchange where I-40 forks off and I-240 begins its westward arc. Just east of here lies Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in America, although hidden from direct view by sound walls and exit ramps. As we curve southward, the cityscape transitions from tight commercial corridors to sprawling suburbs dotted with shopping centers and office parks. The US-72 interchange arrives quickly — a key junction serving Germantown Parkway and East Memphis, including access to the Regalia Shopping Center and Laurelwood District.
Turning southwest, we soon meet the northern terminus of Tennessee State Route 385, the outer loop known locally as Bill Morris Parkway. This marks an important shift, as I-240 becomes the sole limited-access route wrapping around the core of Memphis. Traffic here is notably heavier, with multiple lanes in both directions accommodating both commuters and long-haul travelers rerouting from I-40 or I-55. The scenery reflects Memphis’s diverse land use — from medical offices and hotels to aging strip malls and dense residential neighborhoods hidden just beyond the exits.
The highway’s next act takes us past the Memphis International Airport, where the brief junction with US-78 (Lamar Avenue) and Airways Boulevard offers direct access to one of FedEx’s largest logistics hubs. The sounds of constant air traffic and the visual presence of massive freight facilities are reminders that Memphis is one of the most important inland port cities in America. This stretch of I-240 once earned a reputation for congestion and confusing interchanges, but recent infrastructure upgrades have helped streamline traffic flow.
We end our journey at the complex southern junction with Interstate 55 and the northern spur of I-240. This is where the western and eastern halves of the Memphis beltway connect — a crucial knot in the regional freeway web. While signage might still be inconsistent in places (with remnants of older I-240 designations persisting), the engineering behind the interchange is unmistakably modern, a far cry from the stop-and-go chaos that once plagued this stretch. As we pull off the freeway here, it’s clear that I-240 serves not only as a lifeline for the city’s transit needs but also as a living map of Memphis’s growth, congestion, and evolving road culture.
🗺️ Route Map
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