New South Memphis, TN to Shelbyville, TN is 236.8 miles and takes about 4h 50m via US 412 and SR 99, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. Expect a mixed drive, suitable for a single-day adventure if you get an early start. It's a straightforward journey covering a moderate distance, perfect for when you want to get somewhere without a complex itinerary. Consider this route if you're looking for a practical way to connect these two points within the state.
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
118.4 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
112.9 mi
2h 13m
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
82.3 mi
1h 29m
SR 99
7.5 mi
11m
US 41A
7.2 mi
10m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
Old Columbia Road East
5.5 mi
9m
South Parkway East
4.4 mi
7m
Old Columbia Road
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 112.9 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Shelbyville, 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
82 mi·1 hr 29 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 93Toward 152: Lexington
9
Turn right onto SR 152
0.7 mi·49 sec·Law Road
10
Turn left onto US 412
10 mi·11 min·US 412
11
Turn left onto US 412
7.5 mi·8 min·US 412
12
Continue on US 412;SR 114
3.5 mi·3 min·US 412;SR 114
13
Merge onto US 412; SR 114
16 mi·17 min·US 412; SR 114
14
Continue on US 412; SR 100
14 mi·16 min·US 412; SR 100
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
44 mi·51 min·US 412
16
Take the exit onto US 412
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 412
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
18 mi·21 min·US 412
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 431; SR 99
0.8 mi·1 min·Lewisburg and Franklin Pike
19
Turn left onto SR 99
7.5 mi·11 min·SR 99
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 31A; SR 99
0.2 mi·24 sec·Nashville Highway
21
Turn right onto SR 270
5.5 mi·9 min·Old Columbia Road East
22
Continue on SR 270
1.5 mi·2 min·Old Columbia Highway
23
Continue on SR 270
2.4 mi·4 min·Old Columbia Road
24
Turn right onto US 41A
7.2 mi·10 min·US 41A
25
Turn right onto US 231
0.9 mi·1 min·Lane Parkway
26
Continue on SR 64; SR 82; SR 130
478 ft·8 sec·East Lane Street
27
Continue on SR 64; SR 82; SR 130
0.2 mi·17 sec·North Jefferson Street
28
Turn right onto East Depot Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·East Depot Street
29
At end of road, turn right onto Public Square East
344 ft·20 sec·Public Square East
30
Continue on Public Square North
103 ft·4 sec·Public Square North
31
Arrive at destination
Public Square North
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 50-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight, especially since it's designed as a one-day trip. With only one planned stop, you can choose a location that suits your needs for a break or fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant town might be over 112 miles on US 412. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is a helpful budget point. Given the manageable distance, you have flexibility to depart when you're ready, but an early start will make the drive more relaxed.
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 118.4 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.9 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 18m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shelbyville, 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 236.8 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 412 for about 112.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 236.7 — 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
5
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward 152: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 93
Toward 152: Lexington
5
192.4 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|US 412
Take the exit onto US 412
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
218.6 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|US 31A; SR 99 / Nashville Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 31A; SR 99 / Nashville Highway
Navigation decision point
5
236.7 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|Public Square East
At end of road, turn right onto Public Square East
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.02 one way
$74.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.65
$81.30
premium
$4.89
$45.57
$91.14
diesel
$5.61
$52.28
$104.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71
0
$24.86
$11.37
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.72
$9.47
EV Truck/SUV
94.7
1
$33.15
$15.16
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 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
Shelbyville, TN
Night
in Shelbyville on Saturday
Local time
11:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
19 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 50m 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 offers a blend of highway speeds and local road experiences, with 57% of the route on highways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 112.9 miles on US 412, offering a good opportunity to settle in. As you progress, the road character will shift, moving from more significant roadways to state routes. The 'mixed drive' profile means you'll experience varying conditions, so staying alert is key. It’s not a constant interstate cruise, but rather a varied journey that keeps things interesting.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.9 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 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 Effort5/10
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 236.8 miles you will encounter 19 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 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 192.4 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 Shelbyville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward 152: Lexington along the way.
152: Lexington
96.5 mi in|~1h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 236.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.9 miles on US 412. 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.
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 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 192.4 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Shelbyville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
