Shackle Island, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 232.3 miles and takes about 4h 22m via I 40, I 65, and Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive that should feel familiar to anyone who's driven in the area. With a recommended one-day travel time, you can expect to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct route.
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
116.1 miles from Shackle Island, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
196.4 mi
3h 32m
I 65
9 mi
10m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
5.5 mi
6m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
New Shackle Island Road
2.9 mi
5m
South Perkins Road
2.3 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 196.4 mi, about 3h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shackle Island, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on SR 174
57 ft·10 sec·Long Hollow Pike
2
Turn sharp left onto SR 258
2.9 mi·5 min·New Shackle Island Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward TN 386 South: Nashville
4
Merge onto TN 386; US 31E Bypass
5.5 mi·6 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 65
8.7 mi·10 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 65
0.3 mi·32 sec·I 65
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 65
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Exit 84BToward I 40 West: Memphis
9
Merge onto I 40
196 mi·3 hr 32 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
13
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
14
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
16
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
For this 232.3-mile drive, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the approximately 4 hour and 22 minute trip. With a single recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $35, you can plan your breaks accordingly. Pay attention to the transition from I 40 to I 65, as this is a key point in your route. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to start later if needed, but an early start ensures a relaxed pace.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 116.1 miles from Shackle Island, TN, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.4 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 51 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.1 miles or 2h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 31m
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 Shackle Island, 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 Shackle Island, TN
This is one driving day of about 232.3 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Shackle Island, 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 I 40 for about 196.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 231.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 258 / New Shackle Island Road
Turn sharp left onto SR 258 / New Shackle Island Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
17.5 mi into trip|~23m in|I 65
Take the exit onto I 65 toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
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 I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
7
218.1 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward Perkins Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward Perkins Road
8
231.6 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
231.7 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
$34.31 one way
$68.61 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.87
$75.74
premium
$4.72
$43.13
$86.26
diesel
$4.80
$43.86
$87.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.7
0
$24.39
$11.15
Efficient EV
58.1
0
$20.33
$9.29
EV Truck/SUV
92.9
1
$32.52
$14.87
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Shackle Island, TN
Late night
in Shackle Island on Monday
Local time
1:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Late night
in New South Memphis on Monday
Local time
1:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
W 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
90°F
Waverly, TN
116 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
3 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
4h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 92% of the 232.3 miles on major roads like I 40 and I 65. You'll encounter a long stretch of 196.4 miles on I 40, indicating a significant portion of the trip will be uninterrupted cruising. Expect the highway portion to conclude as you approach your destination, transitioning to surface roads for the final leg of your trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 258 / New Shackle Island Road.
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 14 significant decision points across 232.3 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: near the start (SR 258 / New Shackle Island Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 17.5 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
784 ft260 ft
Total Climb
334 ft
Total Descent
596 ft
Highest Point
784 ft
~66.4 mi in
Elevation Range
524 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Shackle Island, TN to New South Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 232.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 258 / New Shackle Island Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 17.5 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at New South Memphis, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
