Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from New South Memphis, TN to Madisonville, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 34m
Distance
386.3 mi
622 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 24m
★
6 AM
7h 34m
8 AM
7h 54m
10 AM
7h 41m
12 PM
7h 39m
3 PM
7h 42m
5 PM
7h 53m
8 PM
7h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New South Memphis, TN
Dee Hunna
Madisonville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
New South Memphis, TN to Madisonville, TN is 386.3 miles and takes about 7h 34m via Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway and I 40, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, taking you across Tennessee. Expect a mix of driving experiences, with a significant portion on major highways before transitioning to surface roads. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently, keeping in mind the total travel time and estimated fuel cost.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
193.2 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway | 196.5 mi | 3h 32m |
| I 40 | 106.7 mi | 1h 55m |
| SR 68 | 42.8 mi | 1h 3m |
| Watts Bar Highway | 10 mi | 13m |
| North Main Street | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Sam Cooper Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| South Parkway East | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| New Lake Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 196.5 mi, about 3h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Madisonville, 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
197 mi
·
3 hr 32 min
·
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 40
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 317
Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
13
Turn straight onto US 127
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
North Main Street
14
Continue on SR 68
20 mi
·
30 min
·
SR 68
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on Piccadilly Avenue
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Piccadilly Avenue
17
Continue on SR 302
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
New Lake Road
18
At end of road, turn left onto SR 68; SR 302
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Watts Bar Highway
19
Enter roundabout
128 ft
·
2 sec
20
Continue
38 ft
·
1 sec
21
Turn slight right onto SR 68
23 mi
·
33 min
·
SR 68
22
Turn left onto Warren Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Warren Street
23
Turn right onto College Street South
8 ft
·
0 sec
·
College Street South
24
Arrive at destination
College Street South
Trip Plan
For this 386.3-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from New South Memphis to maximize daylight and allow for your 2 planned stops. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 196.5 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, so plan for a break before or after this segment. With a total duration of about 7.5 hours and a fuel cost estimate of $60, this trip is very manageable in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving more populated areas, as services can become more spread out on the surface road sections.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193.2 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.5 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 85 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.2 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madisonville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New South Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 386.3 miles and 7h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from New South Memphis, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway for about 196.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
193 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 193.2 miles from New South Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Tennessee Visitor Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Bay 2
1.2 mi from route
Bay 4
1.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
1.3 mi from route
Eco Travel Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 210.8 and 320.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
210.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
5
211 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
213.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
|
I 40 / Downtown Loop
Continue onto I 40 / Downtown Loop toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksv...
9
214 mi into trip
|
~4h in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
320.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 317
Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.23 one way
$128.45 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
135 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $69.96 | $139.92 |
| premium | $5.18 | $78.83 | $157.65 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $81.37 | $162.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.9 | 1 | $40.56 | $18.54 |
| Efficient EV | 96.6 | 1 | $33.80 | $15.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 154.5 | 1 | $54.08 | $24.72 |
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Afternoon in New South Memphis on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Madisonville, TN
Evening in Madisonville on Wednesday
Local time
5:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 0 to 5 mph
6% chance
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 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
7h 34m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 226.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 40% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 7.5-hour trip on interstates like I 40. The longest continuous stretch on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway covers 196.5 miles. You'll notice the shift from urban merging and exits around Memphis to more open cruising as you head east. The route eventually transitions from highway driving to surface roads, indicated by the profile as mixed highway & surface.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.5 mi on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 210.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 386.3 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 210.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.4 miles (I 40 / Downtown Loop): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,868 ft
260 ft
Total Climb
2,120 ft
Total Descent
1,385 ft
Highest Point
1,868 ft
~303.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,608 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Madisonville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Jamestown.
Huntsville
210.8 mi in
|
~3h 55m
Louisville
213.4 mi in
|
~3h 59m
|
via I 40
Knoxville
213.4 mi in
|
~3h 59m
|
via I 40
Chattanooga
213.4 mi in
|
~3h 59m
|
via I 40
Jamestown
320.7 mi in
|
~5h 55m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Sky Blue Cafe
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteListening Room Cafe
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Red Bicycle
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Nashville, TN
Visit websiteFrothy monkey
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Nashville, TN
Hours: 07:00-16:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Nashville, TN
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Jackson, TN
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteInterstate Barbecue
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Visit website
Taco Bell
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Madisonville, TN
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: 07:00-02:00
Visit websiteBojangles'
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Madisonville, TN
Cuisine: chicken
Visit websiteSonic
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Madisonville, TN
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 08:00-24:00
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Nashville, TN
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-20:00
Visit websiteOscar's Taco Shop
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Nashville, TN
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-18:00
Visit websiteNapier Park
Park
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
Metro Riverfront Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
East Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Roadside Table
Picnic_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Bicentennial Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Printers Alley
Attraction
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Tennessee Central Railway Museum
Museum
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Nashville
Visit websiteJesus Statue
Artwork
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
#educationisnotacrime
Artwork
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Nashville, TN
Visit websiteAdventure Science Center
Museum
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
TN
Visit websiteNational Museum of African American Music
Museum
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Visit website
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
Museum
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Visit website
Days Inn
Hotel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Holladay, TN
Visit websiteAirways Motel
Motel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Scottish Inn
Motel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Residence Inn Nashville Downtown
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Nashville, TN
Midway Motel
Motel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Econo Lodge
Motel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Jackson, TN
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 34m. Total distance: 386.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.5 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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.
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 Madisonville, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 210.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.4 miles (I 40 / Downtown Loop): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Madisonville, TN before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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