New South Memphis, TN to Franklin, TN is 207.6 miles and takes about 3h 56m via Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway and State Highway 96, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traveling entirely within Tennessee. The profile is mostly surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate drive. With only one recommended stop and a total duration under four hours, this is a straightforward and manageable day trip.
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
103.8 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
171 mi
3h 4m
State Highway 96
11.8 mi
14m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
Fairview Boulevard
5.2 mi
5m
Highway 96
4.8 mi
6m
South Parkway East
4.4 mi
7m
East Parkway South
2.3 mi
3m
South Third Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 171 mi, about 3h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Franklin, 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
171 mi·3 hr 4 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, FranklinUse the right lane.
9
Turn left onto TN 96
4.8 mi·6 min·Highway 96
10
Merge onto SR 96; SR 100
5.2 mi·5 min·Fairview Boulevard
11
Take the exit
292 ft·8 sec
12
Turn right onto TN 96
12 mi·14 min·State Highway 96
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on Bridge Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Bridge Street
14
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
0.1 mi·12 sec·3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
174 ft·2 sec·Public Square
16
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Leaving New South Memphis in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic congestion as you begin your drive. Since the total trip is just under four hours, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Plan for your single stop to be a brief fuel or stretch break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $32, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on a drive of this length, especially when much of it is on non-interstate routes.
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 103.8 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171 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 46 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.8 miles or 1h 59m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 207.6 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 171 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 1.4 and 207.5 — 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
7
185.2 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Primary SR 96: Fairview, Franklin
5
195.5 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|TN 96 / State Highway 96
Turn right onto TN 96 / State Highway 96
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
207.4 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
207.5 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96 / Public Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.66 one way
$61.32 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.85
$67.69
premium
$4.72
$38.54
$77.09
diesel
$4.80
$39.20
$78.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.3
0
$21.80
$9.96
Efficient EV
51.9
0
$18.17
$8.30
EV Truck/SUV
83
1
$29.06
$13.29
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Morning
in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:58PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Franklin, TN
Morning
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 0 to 5 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:58PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
90°F
Waverly, TN
104 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
3 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
3h 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.
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 207.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily surface roads, with only about 11% spent on highways. You'll cover 171 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway before transitioning to State Highway 96 and Sam Cooper Boulevard. Expect frequent intersections and a steady flow of local traffic as you navigate these main roads.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 171 mi on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near South Parkway East.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 56m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (South Parkway East): Navigation decision point; at 185.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.5 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
832 ft259 ft
Total Climb
603 ft
Total Descent
218 ft
Highest Point
832 ft
~163.1 mi in
Elevation Range
573 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 Franklin, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Primary Sr 96: Fairview along the way.
Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville.
There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.
Top landmarks
•Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 — masonic temple in Franklin, United States of America
•Carter House — Tennessee state-owned historic site
•Toussaint L'Overture County Cemetery — historic cemetery in Tennessee, United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (South Parkway East): Navigation decision point; at 185.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.5 miles (TN 96 / State Highway 96): 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
