Interstate 269 (I-269) is a beltway route serving as a bypass around the Memphis metropolitan area. The route arcs around the eastern and southern suburbs of Memphis, crossing the state lines between Mississippi and Tennessee. It forms a partial loop that helps divert through-traffic away from the congested I-240 and I-40 corridors within the city, making it a strategic freight and commuter route in the region.
I-269 begins at an interchange with I-69 near Hernando, Mississippi, and runs eastward before turning north into Tennessee. In Mississippi, it intersects key routes such as MS 302 and US 78 (which carries the future I-22 designation). Once it crosses into Tennessee, the interstate continues northward, ultimately connecting with I-40 near Arlington. The completion of I-269 provided a seamless outer loop that significantly improved logistics and travel times for drivers bypassing Memphis.
As a relatively new addition to the Interstate system, I-269 was developed in stages and fully completed in 2018. Its construction supported the growth of suburban communities in DeSoto County, MS, and outer Shelby County, TN, while also enhancing regional connectivity for long-haul freight traffic using I-22, I-55, and I-40.