Trip from New South Memphis, TN to Watertown, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 41m

Distance

405.4 mi

652 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

7h 32m ★

6 AM

7h 42m

8 AM

8h 1m

10 AM

7h 49m

12 PM

7h 47m

3 PM

7h 50m

5 PM

8h 0m

8 PM

7h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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New South Memphis, TN

Dee Hunna

city in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States

Watertown, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 405.4-mile journey from New South Memphis, TN, to Watertown, TN, will take approximately 7 hours and 41 minutes of driving time. It's a substantial drive, best suited for a single, focused day trip, though you might appreciate breaking it up given the duration. The route primarily utilizes Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway and I-40, with a significant portion also on Lamar Alexander Parkway, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $63, this drive through the Southeast region of Tennessee is a straightforward path. Planning for about two stops along the way will help manage the 7+ hour travel time.

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

202.7 miles from New South Memphis, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway	196.5 mi	3h 32m
I 40	153 mi	2h 46m
Lamar Alexander Parkway	26.9 mi	36m
East Lamar Alexander Parkway	9 mi	13m
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

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 Watertown, TN.

Start on US 61

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Third Street

Turn right onto South Parkway East

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Parkway East

Continue on South Parkway East

2.7 mi · 4 min · South Parkway East

Continue on South Parkway East

0.4 mi · 40 sec · South Parkway East

Use the right lane.

Continue on SR 277

2.3 mi · 3 min · East Parkway South

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Sam Cooper Boulevard

6.1 mi · 9 min · Sam Cooper Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

197 mi · 3 hr 32 min · Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Merge onto I 40; I 65

2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

153 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40

Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Exit 364 Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

150 ft · 2 sec

Exit 364 Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 321

27 mi · 36 min · Lamar Alexander Parkway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 321

9.0 mi · 13 min · East Lamar Alexander Parkway

Turn left onto Old Walland Highway

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Old Walland Highway

Turn left onto East Millers Cove Road

1.9 mi · 4 min · East Millers Cove Road

Turn right

33 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 405.4-mile trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours and minimize traffic. With 7 hours and 41 minutes of estimated driving, planning for two stops is sensible for breaks and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 196.5-mile stretch on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. While this can be done in one day, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting the drive could be an option, though the route's direct nature makes a single-day push feasible. The $63 fuel cost is a good budget to keep in mind for this drive across Tennessee.

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 202.7 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 3h 46m 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 89 miles or 1h 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 202.7 miles or 3h 46m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watertown, 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 405.4 miles and 7h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 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.

city in Macon County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, TN

203 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

Mount Carmel, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nashville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 202.7 miles from New South Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.9

Jackson, Tennessee

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+19012203010

Blues City Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+19015263637

Visit website

The Café at Thistle Farms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 202.7

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16159536440

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 202.7

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16153834409

Visit website

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19015523852

Visit website

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

The Picnic Cafe & Party Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 202.7

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16152975398

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 210.8 and 367.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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...

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.

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...

366.9 mi into trip | ~6h 46m in

Take the exit toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 364 Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...

367.2 mi into trip | ~6h 46m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 364 Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$63.38 one way

$126.76 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 142 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$69.59	$139.18
premium	$4.89	$78.02	$156.03
diesel	$5.61	$89.51	$179.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 141.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	121.6	1	$42.57	$19.46
Efficient EV	101.4	1	$35.47	$16.22
EV Truck/SUV	162.2	2	$56.76	$25.95

Gas CO2

142 kg

EV CO2

47 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

New South Memphis, TN

Evening in New South Memphis on Saturday

Local time

8:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

N 10 to 15 mph 90% chance Live forecast

Destination

Watertown, TN

Night in Watertown on Saturday

Local time

9:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Lafayette, TN

203 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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

9 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

7h 41m 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.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free near mile 405.4

Park Closure: Seasonal road closures

Park Closure: Abrams Falls Trail Closed

View on nps.gov

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...

22 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 237.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive offers a blend of highway speeds and more local road cruising, with 48% of the route being on highways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 196.5 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, which sets a consistent pace early on. As you progress, the drive transitions, incorporating I-40 and then Lamar Alexander Parkway, meaning the road's character evolves throughout the 7h 41m journey. This mixed profile means you'll encounter both faster travel and potentially more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.

48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

19 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?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 210.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 405.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

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 214 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Watertown, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.

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

Oak Ridge

366.9 mi in | ~6h 46m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 41m. Total distance: 405.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 41m 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.

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.

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 Watertown, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Watertown, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from New South Memphis, TN or browse trips ending in Watertown, TN.

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Trip from New South Memphis, TN to Watertown, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

Taco Bell

Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

Red Lobster

Taqueria “ EL PRIMO EXPRESS”

Blues City Cafe

The Café at Thistle Farms

Park Cafe

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

The Picnic Cafe & Party Catering

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

New South Memphis, TN

Watertown, TN

1 hour later

9 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 41m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Stones River National Battlefield

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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