This 153.3-mile drive from New Johnsonville, TN, to New South Memphis, TN, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 56 minutes. Operating primarily on I-40, this route is designed for efficient travel and is best suited as a single-day journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it's an economical option for getting between these two points within Tennessee. The overall feel is one of a practical, highway-focused transit through the Southeast region.
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
76.7 miles from New Johnsonville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
114.7 mi
2h 4m
US 641
13.7 mi
15m
Broadway Street
6.1 mi
9m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
US 70
2.8 mi
3m
South Perkins Road
2.3 mi
3m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 114.7 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Johnsonville, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 70
6.1 mi·9 min·Broadway Street
2
Turn slight left onto US 70
2.8 mi·3 min·US 70
3
Turn left onto US 641
14 mi·15 min·US 641
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
115 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
9
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
10
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
12
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan for a single stop to refuel or stretch your legs, as the longest driving segment is substantial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 114.7-mile stretch on I-40 to ensure you have enough for that portion. Starting your journey in the morning will allow you to arrive at your destination with ample time to spare.
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 76.7 miles from New Johnsonville, TN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.7 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 27m 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 New Johnsonville, 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 New Johnsonville, TN
This is one driving day of about 153.3 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from New Johnsonville, 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 114.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.8 and 152.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
22.8 mi into trip|~29m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
139.2 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
5
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|I 240 / Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Merge onto I 240 / Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
152.6 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
152.7 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
$23.97 one way
$47.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.31
$52.63
premium
$4.89
$29.50
$59.00
diesel
$5.61
$33.85
$67.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.41
$6.13
EV Truck/SUV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 18, 2026
Origin
New Johnsonville, TN
Late night
in New Johnsonville on Tuesday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Late night
in New South Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Brownsville, TN
77 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
18 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 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 91% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-40 and US 641. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is an impressive 114.7 miles on I-40, meaning you can settle in for a good amount of time without significant changes in road type. While largely interstate, the route incorporates some surface streets like Broadway Street as you approach your destination, offering a slight shift in pace before you arrive.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.8 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 153.3 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 22.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.4 miles (I 240 / Avron B Fogelman Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 153.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.7 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 22.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.4 miles (I 240 / Avron B Fogelman Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
