Spanning 247.5 miles across the Southeast, this trip from New South Memphis to Christiana is a straightforward journey that typically takes 4 hours and 40 minutes. Since the entire route stays within Tennessee, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it a convenient option for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, it remains an affordable trek for solo drivers or groups. Expect to spend a significant portion of your time navigating a mix of Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and Sam Cooper Boulevard. This is a practical, no-nonsense route that favors efficiency over sightseeing.
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
123.8 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
165.2 mi
2h 58m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
I 24
5.8 mi
6m
Shelbyville Highway
4.5 mi
5m
South Parkway East
4.4 mi
7m
South Church Street
2.4 mi
3m
East Parkway South
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 165.2 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Christiana, TN.
1
Start on US 61
1.4 mi·2 min·South Third Street
2
Turn right onto South Parkway East
1.4 mi·2 min·South Parkway East
3
Continue on South Parkway East
2.7 mi·4 min·South Parkway East
4
Continue on South Parkway East
0.4 mi·40 sec·South Parkway East
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on SR 277
2.3 mi·3 min·East Parkway South
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi·9 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 40
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
9
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 24
5.8 mi·6 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 81AToward US 231 South: ShelbyvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 231
2.4 mi·3 min·South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 231
4.5 mi·5 min·Shelbyville Highway
15
Turn left onto Hwy 269
1.0 mi·1 min·Hwy 269
16
Turn left onto Main Street
492 ft·23 sec·Main Street
17
Turn right onto Church Street
16 ft·5 sec·Church Street
18
Turn left
11 ft·0 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 40 minute duration, planning for at least one well-timed stop is essential to keep you refreshed. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though leaving early helps you avoid potential congestion on the more local portions of the route. Budget your $38 for fuel before you head out to avoid mid-trip stress. As you tackle the 165.2-mile stretch on the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, keep a steady eye on your navigation to handle the turn-heavy sections effectively. Utilizing your one planned stop to stretch your legs will make the transition between highway and local roads much more manageable.
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 123.8 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.2 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.8 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Christiana, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New South Memphis, 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 South Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 247.5 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from New South Memphis, 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 Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway for about 165.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 179.5 and 239 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
179.5 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
5
180.2 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
232.4 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
5
233.2 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
239 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 231 South: Shelbyville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 81A
Toward US 231 South: Shelbyville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.69 one way
$77.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.48
$84.97
premium
$4.89
$47.63
$95.26
diesel
$5.61
$54.64
$109.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$25.99
$11.88
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.66
$9.90
EV Truck/SUV
99
1
$34.65
$15.84
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 South Memphis, TN
Late night
in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Christiana, TN
Late night
in Christiana on Sunday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
31 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
4h 40m 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 that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 27% of your travel occurs on highways, the personality of the road shifts frequently as you navigate local stretches. Your longest uninterrupted segment covers 165.2 miles along the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, providing the most consistent pace of the entire trip. Because of the technical nature of the local roads, you will find this drive requires more active steering than a standard interstate cruise. The transition between fast-moving highway stretches and slower, winding local segments ensures the drive feels dynamic rather than monotonous.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.2 mi on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 179.5 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 247.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 179.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.2 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
899 ft260 ft
Total Climb
901 ft
Total Descent
465 ft
Highest Point
899 ft
~212.2 mi in
Elevation Range
639 ft
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 New South Memphis, TN to Christiana, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
179.5 mi in|~3h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 247.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.2 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. 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 Christiana, 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 179.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.2 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.4 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Christiana, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
