Rutledge, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 425.3 miles and takes about 7h 52m via I 40 and Rutledge Pike, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile, this is a straightforward drive designed for covering ground efficiently. Plan for a full day of driving, but it’s definitely manageable without an overnight stop if you get an early start.
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
212.7 miles from Rutledge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
377.9 mi
6h 51m
Rutledge Pike
28.4 mi
32m
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
Perkins Extended
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 377.9 mi, about 6h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rutledge, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Marshall Avenue
76 ft·7 sec·Marshall Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 11W; SR 1
28 mi·32 min·Rutledge Pike
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
24 mi·27 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
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.
11
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
14
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
15
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
17
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Getting an early start is key for this drive, aiming to leave Rutledge before 8 AM to maximize daylight. With only 2 recommended stops and a long stretch on I 40, plan your breaks strategically; consider stopping around the halfway point or slightly before the 377.9-mile mark where the highway driving ends. The fuel cost is estimated at $66, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on the time, as the 7h 52m duration doesn't account for traffic or extended stops.
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 212.7 miles from Rutledge, TN, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 377.9 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 94 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 212.7 miles or 3h 55m 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 41m
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 Rutledge, 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 Rutledge, TN
This is one driving day of about 425.3 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Rutledge, 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 377.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.4 and 424.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
52.4 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
207.2 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
209.4 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
424.6 mi into trip|~7h 50m 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
424.7 mi into trip|~7h 51m 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
$66.49 one way
$132.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg149 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$73.00
$146.01
premium
$4.89
$81.85
$163.69
diesel
$5.61
$93.90
$187.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
127.6
1
$44.66
$20.41
Efficient EV
106.3
1
$37.21
$17.01
EV Truck/SUV
170.1
2
$59.54
$27.22
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 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 15, 2026
Origin
Rutledge, TN
Night
in Rutledge on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Night
in New South Memphis on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
213 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
36 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 52m 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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 190.7
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 91% of this 425.3-mile trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 377.9 miles on I 40. Expect the highway driving to conclude around mile 377.9, transitioning to surface streets as you approach New South Memphis. Given the high highway percentage, be prepared for a steady pace with frequent exits and merges as you traverse the state.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 377.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Rutledge Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.4 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 15 significant decision points across 425.3 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 52.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.4 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 Rutledge, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
52.4 mi in|~1h 1m|via I 40
Memphis
209.4 mi in|~3h 50m|via I 40
Louisville
210.4 mi in|~3h 52m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 52m. Total distance: 425.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 377.9 miles on I 40. 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 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 52.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 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.
