Loudon, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 386.2 miles and takes about 7h 9m via I 40 and I 75, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to its western edge. It's a straightforward, almost entirely highway route, making it a good option if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. With only two recommended stops and a high highway share, you can anticipate a driving experience focused on covering ground.
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
193.1 miles from Loudon, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
353.8 mi
6h 23m
I 75
7.4 mi
7m
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 Lee Highway
2.3 mi
3m
Sugar Limb Road
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 353.8 mi, about 6h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Loudon, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Blair Street
41 ft·8 sec·Blair Street
2
Turn left onto Grove Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Grove Street
3
Turn right onto US 11
0.1 mi·9 sec·Mulberry Street
4
Continue on US 11
0.5 mi·44 sec·Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. Loudon County Veterans Memorial Bridge
5
Continue on US 11
2.3 mi·3 min·East Lee Highway
6
Turn left onto SR 324
2.0 mi·3 min·Sugar Limb Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
8
Merge onto I 75
7.4 mi·7 min·I 75
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
154 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
16
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
19
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
20
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
22
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 9m estimated drive time and 386.2 miles, departing Loudon in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in New South Memphis with ample daylight. Plan for your two stops strategically; perhaps one midway for a break and another closer to Memphis for a meal. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 353.8-mile segment on I 40, as services can be more spread out on longer highway stretches. The $59 fuel cost is an estimate, so be prepared for minor fluctuations. The high highway share means you'll likely encounter more service plazas than small-town diners for quick breaks.
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 193.1 miles from Loudon, TN, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 353.8 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 85 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.1 miles or 3h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 58m
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 Loudon, 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 Loudon, TN
This is one driving day of about 386.2 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Loudon, 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 353.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 168.1 and 385.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
170.2 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
173.6 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
385.5 mi into trip|~7h 8m 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
385.6 mi into trip|~7h 8m 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
$57.03 one way
$114.07 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$62.96
$125.93
premium
$4.72
$71.71
$143.41
diesel
$4.80
$72.92
$145.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.9
1
$40.55
$18.54
Efficient EV
96.6
1
$33.79
$15.45
EV Truck/SUV
154.5
1
$54.07
$24.72
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Loudon, TN
Late night
in Loudon on Sunday
Local time
5:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Late night
in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph3% chanceLive 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 9m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 146.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 96% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a lengthy stretch of 353.8 miles on I 40, meaning extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur late in the trip, closer to your destination. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you approach and navigate through the Memphis area.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 353.8 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 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 168.1 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 386.2 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 168.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,791 ft260 ft
Total Climb
1,278 ft
Total Descent
1,845 ft
Highest Point
1,791 ft
~82.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,531 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Loudon, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 386.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 353.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 168.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.6 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 14.3 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.
