Crossing the entire state of Tennessee from Roan Mountain to New South Memphis covers 522.5 miles. This journey takes approximately 8 hours and 4 minutes of pure driving time, making it a significant undertaking that is best split over 2 days. You should budget about $79 for fuel to complete the trip. Because you are traveling from the far eastern edge of the state to the western border, you will experience the full geographic transition of the Southeast region. Attempting this in a single day is possible but exhausting, so planning an overnight stop will make for a much more enjoyable travel experience.
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
260.9 miles from Roan Mountain, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
407.1 mi
7h 23m
I 81
57.1 mi
1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway
15.1 mi
18m
US 19E
10.4 mi
14m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
Mary Patton Highway
4.5 mi
7m
US 321
4.3 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 407.1 mi, about 7h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roan Mountain, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Main Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 19E
10 mi·14 min·US 19E
3
Turn left onto SR 361
3.6 mi·6 min·Gap Creek Road
4
Turn straight onto SR 362
4.5 mi·7 min·Mary Patton Highway
5
Turn left onto West G Street
0.4 mi·51 sec·West G Street
6
Turn left onto US 321; SR 67
4.3 mi·6 min·US 321; SR 67
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
8
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
15 mi·18 min·James H. Quillen Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 8AToward I 81 South: Knoxville
10
Merge onto I 81
56 mi·1 hr·I 81
11
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
12
Merge onto I 40
53 mi·59 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
16
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
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.
19
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
22
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
23
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
25
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
To keep your 8-hour, 4-minute drive manageable, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local congestion. Since the route is split over 2 days, look for a midpoint accommodation that allows you to pace your 2 planned stops effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as relying on local roads rather than interstates can sometimes make finding high-volume service stations less predictable; keep that $79 fuel budget handy for fill-ups. Given the reliance on secondary roads, allow for extra travel time beyond the estimated 8 hours to account for lower speed limits and potential local traffic. Prioritize steady pacing to ensure you arrive in New South Memphis refreshed rather than drained.
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 260.9 miles from Roan Mountain, TN, or about 4h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 407.1 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 115 miles or 2h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 260.9 miles or 4h 57m 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 260.9 miles or 4h 57m
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 8h 36m
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 Roan Mountain, 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 Roan Mountain, TN
Aim for roughly 261 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into New South Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 261 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 115 miles from Roan Mountain, 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 407.1 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 148.9 and 521.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
148.9 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
303.7 mi into trip|~5h 43m 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
305.9 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
521.1 mi into trip|~9h 46m 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
521.2 mi into trip|~9h 46m 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
$81.58 one way
$163.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg183 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$89.57
$179.14
premium
$4.89
$100.42
$200.83
diesel
$5.61
$115.21
$230.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 182.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
156.5
1
$54.79
$25.05
Efficient EV
130.5
1
$45.66
$20.87
EV Truck/SUV
208.7
2
$73.05
$33.40
Gas CO2
183 kg
EV CO2
61 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
Roan Mountain, TN
Night
in Roan Mountain on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Evening
in New South Memphis on Saturday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 10 to 15 mph20% chanceLive forecast
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.
Road read
9h 47m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 287.9
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 108
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a non-interstate experience on this route, as it relies on local corridors like Gap Creek Road, Mary Patton Highway, and West G Street. With 0% highway share, this drive avoids the monotony of high-speed interstates in favor of a more localized pace. You will find yourself navigating smaller roads for the entirety of the 522.5-mile journey. Prepare for a steady, technical drive that requires your full attention compared to a standard highway haul. This profile is ideal if you prefer avoiding heavy traffic and want to see the state from a ground-level perspective.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 407.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 148.9 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 521.8 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 148.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 303.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.9 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 Roan Mountain, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
148.9 mi in|~2h 56m|via I 40
Memphis
305.9 mi in|~5h 46m|via I 40
Louisville
306.9 mi in|~5h 48m|via I 40
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 407.1 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 261 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 148.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 303.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.9 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 9.8 hours each way, a round trip means 19.6 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.
