Colonial Heights, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 486.1 miles and takes about 8h 55m via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $77 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing Tennessee entirely. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B relatively quickly, with just a couple of planned stops to break up the ~9-hour travel time.
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
243 miles from Colonial Heights, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
407.1 mi
7h 23m
I 81
59.2 mi
1h 3m
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
— 407.1 mi, about 7h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Colonial Heights Road
82 ft·9 sec·Colonial Heights Road
2
Turn left onto SR 36
0.9 mi·1 min·Fort Henry Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 81
5
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
6
Merge onto I 40
53 mi·59 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
16
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
17
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
19
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 9-hour driving time, splitting this trip over two days is strongly advised for a more relaxed pace. Plan to depart Colonial Heights in the morning, aiming to reach your overnight stop around the halfway point. You'll have about 4.5 hours of driving on each day. Keep an eye on fuel, especially before entering longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent. With two recommended stops, you can easily incorporate a meal break and a stretch stop each day.
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 243 miles from Colonial Heights, TN, or about 4h 24m 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 107 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 243 miles or 4h 24m 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 243 miles or 4h 24m
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 7h 44m
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 Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, TN
Aim for roughly 243 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into New South Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 243 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 107 miles from Colonial Heights, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 113.1 and 485.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
113.1 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
268 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
270.1 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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
485.3 mi into trip|~8h 54m 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
485.4 mi into trip|~8h 54m 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
$81.09 one way
$162.17 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg170 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$88.47
$176.95
premium
$5.25
$100.53
$201.06
diesel
$6.28
$120.11
$240.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 170.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
145.8
1
$51.04
$23.33
Efficient EV
121.5
1
$42.53
$19.44
EV Truck/SUV
194.4
2
$68.05
$31.11
Gas CO2
170 kg
EV CO2
57 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Colonial Heights, TN
Afternoon
in Colonial Heights on Thursday
Local time
4:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Areas Of Frost
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in New South Memphis on Thursday
Local time
3:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
47°F
Lafayette, TN
243 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.
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
14 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
8h 55m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 251.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a heavily highway-oriented route, with 98% of the driving on interstates, meaning you'll spend most of your time on I-40 and I-81. The longest continuous stretch on the highway covers 407.1 miles, all on I-40. You'll notice a high concentration of exits and interchanges, especially as you approach urban areas. The Avron B Fogelman Expressway marks the final leg into Memphis.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
9/10
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 113.1 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 486.1 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 113.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 268 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,936 ft260 ft
Total Climb
1,311 ft
Total Descent
2,488 ft
Highest Point
1,936 ft
~173.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,675 ft
Notable High Points
1,936 ft at ~173.8 miles+560 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Colonial Heights, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
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 243 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 55 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 55 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 113.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 268 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.1 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 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.9 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.
