New South Memphis, TN to Midtown, TN is 355.3 miles and takes about 6h 35m via South Parkway East, East Parkway South, and Sam Cooper Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. It's a trip primarily on surface roads, meaning you'll be navigating local traffic and intersections for the majority of the drive, rather than high-speed highway miles. Consider this route if you prefer a more grounded travel experience through varied communities.
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
177.6 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
196.5 mi
3h 32m
I 40
139.1 mi
2h 31m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
South Parkway East
4.4 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
East Parkway South
2.3 mi
3m
Roane State Highway
1.5 mi
2m
South Third Street
1.4 mi
2m
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 Midtown, 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 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse 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; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
139 mi·2 hr 31 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 350Toward SR 29: Midtown
13
Turn right onto SR 29
0.2 mi·24 sec·SR 29
14
Turn right onto US 70
1.4 mi·2 min·Roane State Highway
15
Continue on US 70
231 ft·10 sec·Roane State Highway
16
Arrive at destination
US 70
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 35m estimated drive time and 355.3 miles, leaving in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight. Since this route consists entirely of surface roads, plan for potential delays due to local traffic, especially if you encounter any construction or busy intersections. With a fuel cost estimated at $56, it's a good idea to keep your tank topped off, as gas station availability might be more varied than on a major highway. There's one suggested stop, so consider that for a break, but remember you have flexibility for additional stops on this mostly surface road journey.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.6 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 3h 19m 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 78 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.6 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midtown, 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 355.3 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 196.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 210.8 and 353.1 — 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...
5
353.1 mi into trip|~6h 31m in
Take the exit toward SR 29: Midtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 350
Toward SR 29: Midtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.27 one way
$118.54 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$64.42
$128.83
premium
$5.26
$73.56
$147.13
diesel
$6.18
$86.43
$172.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.6
1
$37.31
$17.05
Efficient EV
88.8
1
$31.09
$14.21
EV Truck/SUV
142.1
1
$49.74
$22.74
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Morning
in New South Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
10:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Midtown, TN
Morning
in Midtown on Tuesday
Local time
11:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 35m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 232.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With a 0% highway share, you'll spend the entire 355.3 miles on surface roads, averaging around 54 mph for the 6h 35m trip. Expect to encounter frequent intersections and traffic signals as you navigate through populated areas. The transition from one main road to the next, like from South Parkway East to East Parkway South, will involve standard urban and suburban driving conditions.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 210.8 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 355.3 miles you will encounter 10 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
1,860 ft260 ft
Total Climb
2,074 ft
Total Descent
1,506 ft
Highest Point
1,860 ft
~304.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,600 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 Midtown, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 355.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m 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 36 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 Midtown, 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. There are 36 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Midtown, TN before the return drive.
