Spanning 296.3 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Monteagle to New South Memphis is a substantial journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 27 minutes. You should plan on this being a single-day trip, as it is manageable for most drivers to complete in one go. Budgeting approximately $45 for fuel will cover your transit costs as you move from the Southeast region toward your destination. Because this route utilizes local roads like I-840 West, the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and Sam Cooper Boulevard, it offers a different experience than a standard interstate sprint. It is an ideal route if you prefer a more engaged driving style rather than a monotonous cruise.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.8 miles from Monteagle, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
164.8 mi
2h 58m
I 24
60 mi
1h 5m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
South Perkins Road
2.3 mi
3m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Perkins Extended
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 164.8 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monteagle, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 41
0.3 mi·37 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn slight left
304 ft·13 sec
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
4
Merge onto I 24; US 64
60 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 24; US 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 40
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
11
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
12
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
14
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 296.3-mile route, it is best to depart early in the day to ensure you have plenty of daylight for navigating local roads. You should factor in at least one stop to stretch your legs and manage the mental fatigue that comes with a non-interstate drive. Since the trip is roughly 4.5 hours long, pacing yourself is essential to maintaining focus on the frequent turns you will encounter along the way. Keep your $45 fuel budget handy and try to refuel before hitting the busier metropolitan segments of the drive. A smart tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS settings to ensure you stay on the indicated parkways and boulevards, as the turn-heavy profile can be easy to miscalculate if you miss a single exit.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.8 miles from Monteagle, TN, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.8 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 65 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.8 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 24m
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 Monteagle, 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 Monteagle, TN
This is one driving day of about 295.6 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Monteagle, 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 164.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 294.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|I 24; US 64
Merge onto I 24; US 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
7
281.4 mi into trip|~5h 7m 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
294.8 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
294.9 mi into trip|~5h 27m 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
$46.21 one way
$92.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.74
$101.48
premium
$4.89
$56.89
$113.77
diesel
$5.61
$65.26
$130.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.7
1
$31.04
$14.19
Efficient EV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.82
EV Truck/SUV
118.2
1
$41.38
$18.92
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Monteagle, TN
Late night
in Monteagle on Sunday
Local time
5:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Late night
in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
5:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph47% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 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
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate grind, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a series of local thoroughfares that demand your full attention, making the 4-hour and 27-minute duration feel more active than a typical highway commute. Because the route relies on Sam Cooper Boulevard and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, the road's personality is defined by its frequent transitions and local traffic patterns. You won't find one single long, uninterrupted stretch here; instead, the character of the drive shifts as you progress through the various segments of the journey. Prepare to stay alert, as the winding nature of these roads keeps you engaged behind the wheel.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near I 24; US 64.
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 11 significant decision points across 295.6 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 0.5 miles (I 24; US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Monteagle, TN to New South Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
60.5 mi in|~1h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 295.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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 0.5 miles (I 24; US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
