Dresden, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 137.1 miles and takes about 2h 53m via I 40 and US 45W, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the state of Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to a more western part of the state. Expect a straightforward drive that mostly utilizes interstate highways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With a total travel time under three hours, it's an easy one-day journey.
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
68.5 miles from Dresden, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
69.2 mi
1h 15m
US 45W Bypass
14.5 mi
18m
US 45W
11.7 mi
13m
Green Field Highway
10.6 mi
18m
South Meridian Street
5.9 mi
6m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
Bradford Highway
4.4 mi
7m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 69.2 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dresden, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on South Wilson Street
89 ft·6 sec·South Wilson Street
2
Turn left onto TN 54; TN 89
0.1 mi·15 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto TN 54; TN 89
0.4 mi·34 sec·Pikeview Street
4
Turn straight onto TN 54
0.7 mi·1 min·Morrow Avenue
5
Continue on TN 54
11 mi·18 min·Green Field Highway
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 45E
5.9 mi·6 min·South Meridian Street
7
Turn right onto TN 54
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
8
Continue on TN 54
2.7 mi·4 min·Trenton Highway
9
Continue on TN 54
4.4 mi·7 min·Bradford Highway
10
Continue on TN 54
0.3 mi·37 sec·Halliburton Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 45W; TN 54
12 mi·13 min·US 45W; TN 54
12
Turn left onto US 45W Bypass; US 70A Bypass; US 79 Bypass
14 mi·18 min·US 45W Bypass; US 70A Bypass; US 79 Bypass
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
14
Merge onto I 40; US 412
69 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 40; US 412
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
18
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
19
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
21
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under 3 hours, this is a flexible one-day trip. You could easily depart Dresden, TN in the morning and arrive in New South Memphis, TN by lunchtime, with minimal need for extended stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major town might be around 69.2 miles on I 40. Planning to fill up before departing Dresden is a good strategy to ensure you have plenty of gas for the entire journey.
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 68.5 miles from Dresden, TN, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.2 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 32m 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 20m
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 Dresden, 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 Dresden, TN
This is one driving day of about 137.1 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Dresden, 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 69.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.9 and 136.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.9 mi into trip|~20m in|US 45E / South Meridian Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 45E / South Meridian Street
Navigation decision point
5
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
7
122.9 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
136.4 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
136.5 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
$21.43 one way
$42.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.53
$47.07
premium
$4.89
$26.38
$52.77
diesel
$5.61
$30.27
$60.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.1
0
$14.40
$6.58
Efficient EV
34.3
0
$12.00
$5.48
EV Truck/SUV
54.8
0
$19.19
$8.77
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 15, 2026
Origin
Dresden, TN
Afternoon
in Dresden on Sunday
Local time
1:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
1:06 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
28 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
2h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 route is predominantly highway-focused, with 76% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I 40 and US 45W. You'll experience a significant stretch of 69.2 miles on I 40, offering a consistent pace. The transition to US 45W Bypass and then US 45W will introduce slightly different road characteristics, but the overall feel remains geared towards efficient travel. It's a drive designed for covering ground rather than lingering on scenic detours.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 45W Bypass. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.9 miles in near US 45E / South Meridian Street.
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 13 significant decision points across 137.1 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 11.9 miles (US 45E / South Meridian Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 122.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 137.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.2 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 11.9 miles (US 45E / South Meridian Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 122.9 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.
