Norris, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 393.9 miles and takes about 7h 28m via I 40 and Harriman Highway, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Most of your time will be spent on the interstate, making it a straightforward drive. With only 2 planned stops and a relatively short duration, it’s a good option if you’re looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
197 miles from Norris, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
333.9 mi
6h 2m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Oliver Springs Highway
7.1 mi
12m
North Charles G Seivers Boulevard
5 mi
8m
East Tri County Boulevard
4.6 mi
5m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 333.9 mi, about 6h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norris, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on East Norris Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Norris Road
2
Turn right onto US 441; SR 61
370 ft·10 sec·Andersonville Highway
3
Continue on US 441; SR 61
0.1 mi·12 sec·Norris Freeway
4
Turn straight onto SR 61
0.2 mi·18 sec·Little Senator Circle
5
Continue on TN 61
1.3 mi·1 min·Andersonville Highway
6
Continue on TN 61
5.0 mi·8 min·North Charles G Seivers Boulevard
7
Turn right onto West Weaver Avenue
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Weaver Avenue
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 25W
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
9
Turn right onto TN 61
2.1 mi·3 min·South Charles G Seivers Boulevard
10
Continue on TN 61
0.5 mi·49 sec·South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard
11
Continue on TN 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Oak Ridge Highway
12
Continue on TN 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Oak Ridge Turnpike
13
Turn right onto TN 61
7.1 mi·12 min·Oliver Springs Highway
14
Turn right onto SR 61; SR 62
4.6 mi·5 min·East Tri County Boulevard
15
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
16
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
17
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
18
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
19
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
20
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
21
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
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.
24
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
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.
27
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
30
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
31
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
33
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
37
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
38
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
For this 7.5-hour drive, leaving Norris, TN in the morning is your best bet to arrive in New South Memphis, TN with time to spare. With only 2 stops factored in, you can choose to make one longer break or two shorter ones, depending on your preference. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the long 333.9-mile stretch on I 40, as services can be more spread out. The $62 fuel cost is an estimate, so it’s wise to check current prices along your route.
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 197 miles from Norris, TN, or about 3h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 333.9 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 87 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197 miles or 3h 49m 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 17m
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 Norris, 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 Norris, TN
This is one driving day of about 393.9 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Norris, 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 I 40 for about 333.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 175.8 and 393.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
175.8 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
178 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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
7
181.3 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
8
393.2 mi into trip|~7h 27m 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
393.3 mi into trip|~7h 27m 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
$59.78 one way
$119.57 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$66.79
$133.58
premium
$4.73
$73.31
$146.61
diesel
$5.99
$92.92
$185.85
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Oak Ridge Turnpike
(1.1 mi)$0.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.2
1
$41.36
$18.91
Efficient EV
98.5
1
$34.47
$15.76
EV Truck/SUV
157.6
1
$55.15
$25.21
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Norris, TN
Late night
in Norris on Monday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Night
in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
44°F
Hartsville, TN
197 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 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
7h 28m 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.
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 163
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 87% of it on major roads like I 40. You'll experience a long stretch of 333.9 miles on I 40, which means plenty of consistent cruising. The highway portion concludes around mile 340, transitioning to surface roads like Harriman Highway and Oliver Springs Highway for the final stretch. Expect numerous exits and entrances on the interstate, indicating a fairly developed corridor.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 333.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 175.8 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 18 significant decision points across 393.9 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 175.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,031 ft260 ft
Total Climb
1,469 ft
Total Descent
2,283 ft
Highest Point
2,031 ft
~84.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,771 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Norris, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 28m. Total distance: 393.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 333.9 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.08 in tolls one way, starting with Oak Ridge Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 36 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 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. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 175.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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.
