This 261.7-mile journey from Alexandria, TN, to New South Memphis, TN, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40, this route offers an efficient drive through the heart of Tennessee. With a projected fuel cost of around $41, it's a budget-friendly option for a road trip. The drive is focused on highway travel, making it straightforward and predictable. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, covering 225.7 miles on I-40 without a break. This route is ideal if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated way to get from your starting point to your destination within the Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.8 miles from Alexandria, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
225.7 mi
4h 5m
Sparta Pike
15.4 mi
21m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
South Perkins Road
2.3 mi
3m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Perkins Extended
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 225.7 mi, about 4h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on West Main Street
53 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn right onto High Street
192 ft·6 sec·High Street
3
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·Spring Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto Locust Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Locust Street
5
Turn right onto US 70
1.1 mi·1 min·Nashville Highway
6
Continue on US 70
15 mi·21 min·Sparta Pike
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
8
Merge onto I 40
26 mi·28 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi·3 hr 33 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
17
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
18
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
20
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 59-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. To make the most of your drive, consider departing in the morning to allow for a full day upon arrival in New South Memphis. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically, especially during the longest 225.7-mile stretch on I-40. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is advisable as interstate services can sometimes be spaced out. The $41 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to factor in a small buffer.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.8 miles from Alexandria, TN, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 58 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.8 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New South Memphis, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alexandria, TN
This is one driving day of about 261.7 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Alexandria, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 225.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.6 and 261.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
43.6 mi into trip|~54m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
45.7 mi into trip|~57m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
49.1 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
8
261 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street
8
261.1 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 61 North: Third Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 61 North: Third Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.91 one way
$81.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.92
$89.84
premium
$4.89
$50.36
$100.72
diesel
$5.61
$57.78
$115.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.48
$12.56
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.90
$10.47
EV Truck/SUV
104.7
1
$36.64
$16.75
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, TN
Night
in Alexandria on Saturday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Night
in New South Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 261.7-mile drive, with 89% of the route being on major interstates like I-40. The bulk of your time will be spent on a significant 225.7-mile stretch of I-40, indicating long, uninterrupted highway segments. While the profile is listed as highway-focused, there are moments where you'll transition to roads like Sparta Pike and the Avron B Fogelman Expressway, offering slight variations before rejoining the interstate. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly, with fewer technical or winding sections.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Sparta Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.6 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 261.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 43.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alexandria, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Memphis
45.7 mi in|~57m|via I 40
Louisville
46.8 mi in|~59m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 261.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 225.7 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at New South Memphis, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at New South Memphis, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
