Connecting Bruceton to New South Memphis, this 138.1-mile journey across Tennessee is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the one-way transit. Navigating through the Southeast, you will primarily rely on I-40, TN 22, and the Broadway of America to reach your destination. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that serves as a direct link between these two Tennessee locations. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a manageable pace for any traveler.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69 miles from Bruceton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
96.8 mi
1h 45m
TN 22
13.6 mi
18m
Broadway of America
5.1 mi
7m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
Broad Street
2.4 mi
3m
South Perkins Road
2.3 mi
3m
East Main Street
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 96.8 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bruceton, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 70
2.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
2
Continue on US 70
5.1 mi·7 min·Broadway of America
3
Continue on US 70
1.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
4
Take the ramp onto US 70
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 70
5
Merge onto US 70
1.4 mi·1 min·South Veterans Drive
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
7
Continue on TN 22
8.2 mi·10 min·TN 22
8
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lexington Clarksburg Road
9
Continue on TN 22
5.3 mi·7 min·TN 22
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
11
Merge onto I 40
97 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
15
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
16
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
18
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. I recommend limiting your stops to one, as the route is short enough that you won't need frequent breaks to remain comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer interstate sections, as this will help you stay within your estimated $21 budget. Because the route relies so heavily on I-40, check local traffic reports before you leave to ensure there are no unexpected congestion issues on the highway. This approach ensures you spend less time idling and more time enjoying your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69 miles from Bruceton, TN, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
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 Bruceton, 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 Bruceton, TN
This is one driving day of about 138.1 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Bruceton, 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 96.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.2 and 137.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
25.2 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexin...
5
25.5 mi into trip|~36m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
123.9 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward Perkins Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward Perkins Road
8
137.4 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
137.5 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
$21.59 one way
$43.18 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.71
$47.41
premium
$4.89
$26.58
$53.15
diesel
$5.61
$30.49
$60.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.4
0
$14.50
$6.63
Efficient EV
34.5
0
$12.08
$5.52
EV Truck/SUV
55.2
0
$19.33
$8.84
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Bruceton, TN
Night
in Bruceton on Saturday
Local time
11:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSW 10 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Night
in New South Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Rain Showers
SSW 15 mph40% chanceLive forecast
77°F
Brownsville, TN
69 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 45m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 86% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 96.8 miles along I-40. While the drive starts on secondary roads like TN 22 and the Broadway of America, you will soon transition into a sustained interstate experience. The path is efficient and designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic detours. You can expect a consistent driving experience behind the wheel, making it easy to maintain your momentum until you reach the Memphis area.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 22. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 138.1 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 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
545 ft260 ft
Total Climb
235 ft
Total Descent
446 ft
Highest Point
545 ft
~39.4 mi in
Elevation Range
285 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bruceton, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington and Huntingdon.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads
25.2 mi in|~36m
Lexington
25.2 mi in|~36m
Huntingdon
25.2 mi in|~36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 138.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New South Memphis, TN before heading back.
