Origin
Central, TN
Night in Central on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Central, TN to New South Memphis, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 17m
Distance
500.9 mi
806 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$78
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 9m
★
6 AM
9h 17m
8 AM
9h 34m
10 AM
9h 23m
12 PM
9h 21m
3 PM
9h 24m
5 PM
9h 33m
8 PM
9h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Central, TN
Diego Girón
New South Memphis, TN
Dee Hunna
Trip Overview
This 500.9-mile journey from Central, TN to New South Memphis, TN is a significant undertaking, requiring approximately 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. Given its length and duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid excessive fatigue. The route predominantly utilizes major interstates, with I-40 and I-81 forming the backbone of your travel, alongside a portion of James H. Quillen Parkway. Expect a fuel cost around $78 for this drive. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing the state of Tennessee from east to west. With only two recommended stops, it's a direct path across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
250.4 miles from Central, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 407.1 mi | 7h 23m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14.3 mi | 17m |
| 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 |
| East Main Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 407.1 mi, about 7h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on SR 91
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Elizabethton Highway
2
Continue on SR 91
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Main Street
3
Turn straight
234 ft
·
10 sec
4
Turn right onto SR 91
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Legion Street
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
6
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
14 mi
·
17 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
8
Merge onto I 81
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
9
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
10
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi
·
3 hr 33 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Sam Cooper Boulevard
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 9
Toward Perkins Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Perkins Road
20
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Perkins Extended
21
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 240 West
23
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 7
Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
South Third Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
For this 9-hour drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight and reduce driving fatigue. Plan your two stops strategically to break up the longest stretch on I-40, ensuring you have ample opportunities for rest and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 407.1-mile segment on I-40, as services might be less frequent in certain areas. The total fuel cost is estimated at $78, so budget accordingly. Starting your journey on a weekday might also help you avoid heavier weekend traffic.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 250.4 miles from Central, TN, or about 4h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 407.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 110 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 250.4 miles or 4h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 250.4 miles or 4h 37m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 6m
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 Central, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Central, TN
Aim for roughly 250 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into New South Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 250 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Central, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 407.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
165 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
331 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Nashville, TNOvernight Options
Night 1
250 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Lafayette, TN after about 250 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 110 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 250.4 miles from Central, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 407.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 250 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 127.9 and 500.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
127.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
282.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m 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
284.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m 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
8
500.2 mi into trip
|
~9h 15m 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
500.3 mi into trip
|
~9h 16m 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
$78.31 one way
$156.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
175 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $85.98 | $171.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $96.39 | $192.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $110.59 | $221.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$78
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 175.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 150.3 | 1 | $52.59 | $24.04 |
| Efficient EV | 125.2 | 1 | $43.83 | $20.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 200.4 | 2 | $70.13 | $32.06 |
Gas CO2
175 kg
EV CO2
59 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Evening in New South Memphis on Saturday
Local time
8:14 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
32 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
9h 17m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 259.4
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 86.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized by its high highway share, with 97% of the route taking place on interstates. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 407.1-mile segment on I-40, which means consistent speeds and limited need for complex navigation. The profile is that of a long-distance drive, where the focus is on covering ground efficiently. While the majority is interstate cruising, the inclusion of James H. Quillen Parkway offers a slight variation before merging back onto faster roads. Expect a consistent driving experience for the bulk of your time on the road.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 407.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.9 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 500.9 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 127.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Central, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
127.9 mi in
|
~2h 26m
|
via I 40
Memphis
284.9 mi in
|
~5h 15m
|
via I 40
Louisville
286 mi in
|
~5h 17m
|
via I 40
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 407.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 250 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 127.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.3 hours each way, a round trip means 18.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New South Memphis, TN before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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