New South Memphis, TN to Cowan, TN is 262.7 miles and takes about 5h 24m via US 64, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable distance, it's a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll find it's a practical way to cover ground efficiently, connecting two points within the state without extensive detours.
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
131.3 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
160 mi
3h 17m
United States Route 64
44.4 mi
50m
Wayne Road
31.1 mi
35m
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
6.8 mi
7m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
South Parkway East
4.4 mi
7m
East Parkway South
2.3 mi
3m
Cumberland Street West
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 160 mi, about 3h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Cowan, 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
6.8 mi·7 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 18Toward US 64: Somerville, BolivarUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
518 ft·12 sec
Toward US 64 East: Somerville, Bolivar, Oakland, LakelandUse the left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 64
73 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 64
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto US 64
20 mi·30 min·US 64
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Water Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Water Street
13
Turn left onto TN 128
344 ft·12 sec·Pickwick Street South
14
Turn right onto US 64; SR 69; SR 128
0.1 mi·20 sec·Main Street
15
Continue on US 64; SR 128
31 mi·35 min·Wayne Road
16
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·52 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
17
Continue on US 64
44 mi·50 min·United States Route 64
18
Continue on US 64
0.7 mi·48 sec·West College Street
19
Continue on US 64
67 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 64
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
21
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·5 sec
22
Turn straight onto US 41A
1.7 mi·2 min·Cowan Highway
23
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi·2 min·Cumberland Street West
24
Turn left onto Tennessee Avenue North
10 ft·0 sec·Tennessee Avenue North
25
Arrive at destination
Tennessee Avenue North
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving New South Memphis in the morning to arrive in Cowan with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your travel. The $46 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longest 160-mile stretch on US 64. Planning for a single day is feasible, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could break it up, though it's not strictly necessary. Be aware that the route shifts from highway to surface roads, so adjust your driving accordingly as you approach Cowan.
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 131.3 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160 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 58 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.3 miles or 2h 52m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cowan, 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 262.7 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 US 64 for about 160 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 1.4 and 259.2 — 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
8
21 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Somerville, Bolivar
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 18
Toward US 64: Somerville, Bolivar
9
21.2 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 East: Somerville, Bolivar, Oakland, Lakeland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward US 64 East: Somerville, Bolivar, Oakland...
5
21.3 mi into trip|~31m in|US 64
Merge onto US 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
259.2 mi into trip|~5h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.68 one way
$87.35 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$47.58
$95.15
premium
$5.18
$53.61
$107.21
diesel
$5.35
$55.33
$110.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.58
$12.61
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$22.99
$10.51
EV Truck/SUV
105.1
1
$36.78
$16.81
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Evening
in New South Memphis on Wednesday
Local time
5:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cowan, TN
Evening
in Cowan on Wednesday
Local time
5:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
70°F
Savannah, TN
131 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
5 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
5h 24m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 80% of the 262.7 miles on major roads like US 64. You'll experience a long stretch of 160 miles on US 64 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of your travel, with fewer exits and more open cruising before you reach the latter part of the route. The shift to Wayne Road indicates the end of the highway segment.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and United States Route 64. You will hit about 14 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 262.7 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 1.4 miles (South Parkway East): Navigation decision point; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
975 ft260 ft
Total Climb
1,033 ft
Total Descent
317 ft
Highest Point
975 ft
~262.7 mi in
Elevation Range
715 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New South Memphis, TN and Cowan, TN, road signs point toward Bolivar, Oakland and Lakeland.
Not to be confused with Cowan in Victoria, in which is covered in the Phillip Island article
Cowan is a very small town in Tennessee. It has roughly 1,700 residents, and is located at the foot of the Cumberland Plateau between Chattanooga and Nashville. Cowan is oriented around the junction of Tennessee Highway 41 and the CSX railroad heading toward Decherd.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 262.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 160 miles on US 64. 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 Cowan, 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 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cowan, TN before the return drive.
