Newport, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 441.9 miles and takes about 8h 9m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though recommended for 2 days. This trip stays within Tennessee, taking you across the Southeast region. Given the high percentage of highway driving, expect a fairly straightforward trip, but remember it's a significant distance to cover in one go. Planning for an overnight stop is a good idea to break up the 8+ hours of driving.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220.9 miles from Newport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
421.3 mi
7h 39m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
South Perkins Road
2.3 mi
3m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Cosby Highway
1.4 mi
1m
Perkins Extended
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 421.3 mi, about 7h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on this road
56 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 321
94 ft·5 sec·McMahan Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 25; US 70; US 321
0.3 mi·32 sec·East Broadway Street
4
Turn left onto US 321; SR 32
1.4 mi·1 min·Cosby Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi·3 hr 33 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
16
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
17
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
19
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
With an 8-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart mid-morning to avoid rush hour and give yourself flexibility. You'll be covering 441.9 miles, so plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break. Given the $67 estimated fuel cost, keep an eye on your tank, especially on the long 421.3-mile stretch of I 40 where services might be more spaced out. Breaking the drive around the halfway point will make the trip much more manageable.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220.9 miles from Newport, TN, or about 4h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 97 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220.9 miles or 4h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 220.9 miles or 4h 1m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New South Memphis, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newport, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Newport, TN
Aim for roughly 221 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into New South Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 221 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Newport, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 421.3 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 68.9 and 441.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
68.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
225.9 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
8
441.2 mi into trip|~8h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street
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 7
Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street
8
441.3 mi into trip|~8h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 61 North: Third Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 61 North: Third Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.42 one way
$134.83 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg155 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$74.25
$148.51
premium
$4.81
$83.61
$167.23
diesel
$5.40
$94.00
$188.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
132.6
1
$46.40
$21.21
Efficient EV
110.5
1
$38.67
$17.68
EV Truck/SUV
176.8
2
$61.87
$28.28
Gas CO2
155 kg
EV CO2
52 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 Apr 25, 2026
Origin
Newport, TN
Afternoon
in Newport on Saturday
Local time
12:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 5 mph79% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 25 at 3:44AM CDT until April 25 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 25 at 3:44AM CDT until April 25 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Morning
in New South Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 25 at 3:44AM CDT until April 25 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 25 at 3:44AM CDT until April 25 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
52°F
Hartsville, TN
221 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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
8h 9m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 213.3
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 30.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 97% of the 441.9 miles spent on major roads like I 40. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I 40 for 421.3 miles. The Avron B Fogelman Expressway and W B Fowler Senior Expressway will likely be your entry into the Memphis area. Expect a pattern of consistent cruising with frequent exits along I 40.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 421.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Avron B Fogelman Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.9 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 441.9 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 68.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.9 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 Newport, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Newport is a city in Tennessee with a history of bootlegging and a bit of desperation to make it out of poverty in Appalachia. Though it went through a lot of ups and downs over the years, there aren't a whole lot of singular attractions to visit here.
The longest stretch is about 421.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 221 miles on day one.
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 New South Memphis, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 68.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New South Memphis, TN before the return drive.
