New South Memphis, TN to Thompson's Station, TN is 210.6 miles and takes about 3h 57m via Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, meaning you'll be navigating local traffic and intersections for much of the way. It's a straightforward, same-day option if you're looking for a direct connection without extensive highway time.
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
105.3 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
165.2 mi
2h 58m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
27.5 mi
29m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
South Parkway East
4.4 mi
7m
East Parkway South
2.3 mi
3m
Columbia Pike
1.9 mi
2m
South Third Street
1.4 mi
2m
Thompsons Station Road West
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 165.2 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Thompson's Station, 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
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
9
Merge onto I 840
28 mi·29 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 31: Columbia, FranklinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward US 31 South: Columbia, Thompson's Station, Spring HillUse the left / right lanes.
12
Turn slight right onto US 31
1.9 mi·2 min·Columbia Pike
13
Turn right onto Thompsons Station Road West
0.3 mi·28 sec·Thompsons Station Road West
14
Continue on Thompsons Station Road West
0.4 mi·56 sec·Thompsons Station Road West
15
Arrive at destination
Thompsons Station Road West
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 4-hour drive time, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to allow for a relaxed pace. While there's only one recommended stop, you'll want to be mindful of the predominantly surface road profile, which can mean slower travel and more frequent interactions with local traffic. Budget around $33 for fuel, and keep an eye on your gas gauge, especially before leaving more populated areas. The 165.2-mile stretch on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway offers a good opportunity for steady progress before you encounter more varied road conditions.
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 105.3 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.2 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 105.3 miles or 2h 1m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompson's Station, 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 210.6 miles and 3h 57m.
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 165.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 208 — 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
4
8.2 mi into trip|~13m in|Sam Cooper Boulevard
Turn right onto Sam Cooper Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
179.5 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
8
207.7 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 31: Columbia, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28
Toward US 31: Columbia, Franklin
9
208 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31 South: Columbia, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward US 31 South: Columbia, Thompson's Statio...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.10 one way
$62.20 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.33
$68.67
premium
$4.72
$39.10
$78.20
diesel
$4.80
$39.77
$79.53
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: 73.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.43
$8.42
EV Truck/SUV
84.2
1
$29.48
$13.48
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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
6:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Thompson's Station, TN
Morning
in Thompson's Station on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
91°F
Parsons, TN
105 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
4 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 57m 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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 210.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 16% of the drive on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 165.2 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway before transitioning to more local streets. Be prepared for frequent changes in speed limits and potential traffic signals as you leave the highway system.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.2 mi on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 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 210.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 8.2 miles (Sam Cooper Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 179.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
913 ft260 ft
Total Climb
852 ft
Total Descent
308 ft
Highest Point
913 ft
~195.6 mi in
Elevation Range
653 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 Thompson's Station, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 210.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (16%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.2 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 8.2 miles (Sam Cooper Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 179.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 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 Thompson's Station, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
