Traveling from New South Memphis to Clarksville covers 204 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel to get from the Southeast region of Memphis to your destination in Clarksville. Navigating this route involves a mix of local roads and highways, specifically the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, Austin Peay Memorial Highway, and Main Street. It is a straightforward trip for those comfortable with navigating local infrastructure rather than relying solely on major interstates.
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
102 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
69.4 mi
1h 15m
Austin Peay Memorial Highway
36.5 mi
41m
Main Street
29.8 mi
36m
East Main Street
16.4 mi
24m
US 45E
13.5 mi
19m
Paris Bypass
7.6 mi
8m
US 45 Bypass
6.6 mi
9m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 69.4 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Clarksville, 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
69 mi·1 hr 15 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward TrentonUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 45 Bypass
6.6 mi·9 min·US 45 Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 45E
13 mi·19 min·US 45E
11
Turn right onto US 70A; US 79
2.0 mi·2 min·East Van Hook Street
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on US 70A; US 79
2.1 mi·3 min·Atwood Highway
13
Turn left onto US 70A; US 79
0.7 mi·1 min·Atwood Highway
14
Continue on US 70A; US 79
1.7 mi·2 min·Main Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
16 mi·24 min·East Main Street
16
Continue on US 79
12 mi·13 min·Austin Peay Memorial Highway
17
Turn right onto SR 218
7.6 mi·8 min·Paris Bypass
18
Turn right onto US 79; SR 218
24 mi·27 min·Austin Peay Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 79
0.2 mi·11 sec·Fort Donelson Parkway
20
Continue on US 79
0.6 mi·37 sec·Austin Peay Memorial Highway
21
Continue on US 79
0.5 mi·36 sec·Lake Highway
22
Continue on US 79
1.7 mi·1 min·Donelson Parkway
23
Continue on US 79
28 mi·34 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Merge onto US 41A; US 79
0.1 mi·13 sec·Fort Campbell Boulevard
25
Continue on US 41A; US 79
1.6 mi·2 min·Providence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 41A; US 79
0.9 mi·1 min·North 2nd Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. With a total duration of just over 4 hours, planning for at least one stop is a smart way to keep your energy levels up and break up the turn-heavy sections. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is roughly $30, so filling up before you leave New South Memphis can help you avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Because the route relies heavily on local roads like Main Street and Austin Peay Memorial Highway, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the frequent turns accurately. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the 204-mile journey much more comfortable.
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 102 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.4 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102 miles or 2h 5m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksville, 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 204 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 69.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 103.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|South Parkway East
Turn right onto South Parkway East
Navigation decision point
4
8.2 mi into trip|~13m in|Sam Cooper Boulevard
Turn right onto Sam Cooper Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Trenton
5
83.8 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|US 45 Bypass
Merge onto US 45 Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
103.9 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 70A; US 79 / East Van Hook Street
Turn right onto US 70A; US 79 / East Van Hook Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.89 one way
$63.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.02
$70.03
premium
$4.89
$39.26
$78.52
diesel
$5.61
$45.04
$90.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.2
0
$21.42
$9.79
Efficient EV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
EV Truck/SUV
81.6
1
$28.56
$13.06
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 South Memphis, TN
Night
in New South Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Night
in Clarksville on Saturday
Local time
11:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Huntingdon, TN
102 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
28 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 13m 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.
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 168.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 204-mile trek is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than a simple interstate cruise. You will find that only 14% of the total distance is spent on highways, meaning you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 69.4 miles spent on the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, which provides a brief reprieve from the more frequent turns found elsewhere. As you progress from the Memphis area toward Clarksville, the road character shifts, requiring you to stay alert through various transitions between local streets and highway segments. Expect a drive that demands your full attention as you move through these Tennessee landscapes.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.4 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near South Parkway East.
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 204 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.4 miles (South Parkway East): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles (Sam Cooper Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
638 ft259 ft
Total Climb
642 ft
Total Descent
428 ft
Highest Point
638 ft
~189.5 mi in
Elevation Range
379 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 Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
Trenton
83.7 mi in|~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 204 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.4 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 Clarksville, 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 1.4 miles (South Parkway East): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles (Sam Cooper Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Donelson National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Clarksville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
