New South Memphis, TN to Whitwell, TN is 300 miles and takes about 6h 3m via US 72 and I 565, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. With 88% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path for most of the 300 miles. This route offers a straightforward way to cover ground between these two points, suitable for a single day of travel.
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
150 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 72
123.3 mi
2h 28m
I 565
92.8 mi
1h 46m
Joe Wheeler Highway
20.2 mi
24m
Bill Morris Parkway
13.9 mi
17m
US 72 Alternate
8.6 mi
12m
Wheeler Highway
8.4 mi
9m
SR 28
6.8 mi
9m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 123.3 mi, about 2h 28m
Traffic on I-565
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,964 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~195 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Whitwell, TN.
1
Start on US 61
0.5 mi·49 sec·South Third Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 55 South, I 240 East: Nashville, Jackson Miss
3
Merge onto I 55
3.9 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 240
6.0 mi·8 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 16Toward SR 385 East: Bill Morris Parkway, Collierville, Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on TN 385
14 mi·17 min·Bill Morris Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward US 72: Collierville, CorinthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Toward US 72 East: CorinthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 72
22 mi·26 min·US 72
Use the straight lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto US 72
153 ft·1 sec·US 72
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
11
Continue on US 72
57 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 72
Toward US 72 East: CorinthUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 72
0.2 mi·17 sec·US 72
13
Continue on US 72
44 mi·52 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
8.4 mi·9 min·Wheeler Highway
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State ParkUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
20 mi·24 min·Joe Wheeler Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
8.6 mi·12 min·US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.8 mi·2 min·6th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.0 mi·3 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Toward HuntsvilleUse the left lane.
19
Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate
93 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I-24 East: Chattanooga
21
Merge onto I 24
3.1 mi·3 min·I 24
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Primary SR 28: Jasper, Dunlap
23
Turn left onto TN 28
5.1 mi·5 min·TN 28
24
Continue on SR 28
6.8 mi·9 min·SR 28
25
Turn left onto SR 108
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
26
Turn right onto East Spring Street
74 ft·3 sec·East Spring Street
27
Arrive at destination
East Spring Street
Trip Plan
This 300-mile drive is manageable in a single day, so consider departing after morning rush hour to maximize daylight. The longest stretch without a significant break is 123.3 miles on US 72, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $53, be sure to fill up before leaving New South Memphis or at a major stop along I-565. The transition from highway to surface roads near Whitwell means paying closer attention to speed limits and local traffic.
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 150 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.3 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 66 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whitwell, 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 300 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 72 for about 123.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 148.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|I 55 / W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
10.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward SR 385 East: Bill Morris Parkway, Collierville,
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 16
Toward SR 385 East: Bill Morris Parkway, Collie...
7
25.2 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward US 72: Collierville, Corinth
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.
Toward US 72: Collierville, Corinth
8
25.5 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 72 East: Corinth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
8
148.9 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.88 one way
$99.76 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$54.33
$108.66
premium
$5.18
$61.22
$122.43
diesel
$5.35
$63.19
$126.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90
1
$31.50
$14.40
Efficient EV
75
0
$26.25
$12.00
EV Truck/SUV
120
1
$42.00
$19.20
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in New South Memphis on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Whitwell, TN
Afternoon
in Whitwell on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph6% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Decatur, AL
150 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
8 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
6h 3m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 88% of the 300-mile route utilizing them. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 123.3 miles, primarily on US 72. After this, you'll transition to surface roads like Joe Wheeler Highway. Expect a more rural feel as you approach your destination, with fewer exits and less dense traffic compared to the interstate segments.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.3 mi on US 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 55 / W B Fowler Senior Expressway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 300 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 0.7 miles (I 55 / W B Fowler Senior Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
769 ft260 ft
Total Climb
823 ft
Total Descent
406 ft
Highest Point
769 ft
~214.3 mi in
Elevation Range
509 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 Whitwell, TN, road signs point toward Corinth, Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 300 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.3 miles on US 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Whitwell, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 55 / W B Fowler Senior Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Whitwell, TN before the return drive.
