Huntsville, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 368.7 miles and takes about 7h 12m via I 40 and Scott Highway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from its eastern mountains to the western plains. With 80% of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward path suitable for a single-day journey. You'll cover a significant distance, so be prepared for a full day of driving.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
184.3 miles from Huntsville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
286.7 mi
5h 11m
Deer Lodge Highway East
21.8 mi
32m
Scott Highway
10.1 mi
13m
Nashville Highway
9.7 mi
13m
Deer Lodge Highway
9.5 mi
16m
Morgan County Highway
5.3 mi
6m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 286.7 mi, about 5h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Woodland Place
19 ft·6 sec·Woodland Place
2
Turn left onto Court Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Court Street
3
Turn left onto SR 63; SR 297
2.8 mi·4 min·Howard H Baker Highway
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 27
3.5 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
5
Continue on US 27
2.6 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
6
Continue on US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·Lon Foust Highway
7
Continue on US 27
4.0 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
8
Continue on US 27
5.3 mi·6 min·Morgan County Highway
9
Turn right onto SR 329
6.9 mi·12 min·Deer Lodge Highway
10
Continue on SR 329
0.2 mi·25 sec·Irving Street
11
Turn left onto SR 329
2.6 mi·4 min·Deer Lodge Highway
12
Continue on SR 62
9.7 mi·13 min·Nashville Highway
13
Continue on SR 62
22 mi·32 min·Deer Lodge Highway East
14
Turn straight onto SR 62
1.3 mi·2 min·East Commercial Avenue
15
Turn left onto SR 84
0.7 mi·58 sec·South Holly Street
16
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
366 ft·7 sec·Monterey Highway
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
18
Merge onto I 40
87 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
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.
24
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
27
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
28
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
29
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
30
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Huntsville, TN early in the morning to comfortably complete the 7h 12m drive before evening. You'll have two recommended stops along the way, which can be strategically placed to break up the 286.7-mile stretch on I 40. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $56, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially as you move onto surface roads. Given the single-day recommendation, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or personal needs.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.3 miles from Huntsville, TN, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 286.7 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 81 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.3 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 1m
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 Huntsville, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Huntsville, TN
This is one driving day of about 368.7 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Huntsville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 286.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 150.6 and 368 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
150.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
152.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
156 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
367.9 mi into trip|~7h 11m 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
368 mi into trip|~7h 11m 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
$61.50 one way
$123.01 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$66.85
$133.69
premium
$5.26
$76.34
$152.68
diesel
$6.18
$89.69
$179.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.6
1
$38.71
$17.70
Efficient EV
92.2
1
$32.26
$14.75
EV Truck/SUV
147.5
1
$51.62
$23.60
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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
Huntsville, TN
Late night
in Huntsville on Tuesday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Night
in New South Memphis on Monday
Local time
11:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
76°F
Hartsville, TN
184 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 139.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 80% of the 368.7 miles on interstates like I 40. You'll encounter a long stretch of 286.7 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads like Deer Lodge Highway East and Scott Highway. Expect a mix of high-speed cruising and potentially more local traffic as you near your destination and exit the main interstate.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 286.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Deer Lodge Highway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 150.6 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 19 significant decision points across 368.7 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 150.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,799 ft260 ft
Total Climb
628 ft
Total Descent
1,691 ft
Highest Point
1,799 ft
~52.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,539 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Huntsville, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 12m. Total distance: 368.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 286.7 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 150.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 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.
