Signal Mountain, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 318.8 miles and takes about 6h 25m via US 72, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward drive across Tennessee. With 89% of the route on highways, expect a mostly efficient journey. This is a solid option if you're looking for a single-day transit with minimal fuss between these two points.
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
159.4 miles from Signal Mountain, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 72
91.5 mi
1h 49m
John T Reid Parkway
71.9 mi
1h 22m
US 72 Alternate
59.6 mi
1h 14m
I 24
26.4 mi
29m
North Cedar Avenue
17.8 mi
20m
Bill Morris Parkway
13.8 mi
16m
Highway 72
9.5 mi
12m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 91.5 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Signal Mountain, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Mississippi Avenue
189 ft·17 sec·Mississippi Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto US 127
302 ft·7 sec·Taft Highway
3
Continue on US 127
3.0 mi·4 min·Signal Mountain Boulevard
4
Continue on US 127
1.6 mi·2 min·Signal Mountain Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto US 27
3.3 mi·4 min·US 27
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·42 sec
Toward 24: Nashville, BirminghamUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 24
26 mi·29 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 152AToward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
10
Continue on US 72
18 mi·20 min·North Cedar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 72
0.8 mi·56 sec·Lee Highway
12
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi·2 min·John T Reid Parkway
13
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi·2 min·Lee Highway
14
Continue on US 72
70 mi·1 hr 20 min·John T Reid Parkway
15
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.5 mi·4 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.6 mi·2 min·Bee Line Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
60 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 72
22 mi·26 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 72
1.5 mi·1 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 72
9.5 mi·12 min·Highway 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 72
1.4 mi·2 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 72
44 mi·52 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto US 72
155 ft·1 sec·US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
24
Continue on US 72
13 mi·15 min·US 72
Toward US 72 West: MemphisUse the straight / right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72
8.4 mi·10 min·US 72
Toward Collierville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward TN 385 West, To I-240: Memphis
27
Merge onto TN 385
14 mi·16 min·Bill Morris Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 240 West: Jackson MissUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 240 West: Jackson Mississippi
30
Merge onto I 240
5.7 mi·7 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 25m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Signal Mountain to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight. With a single recommended stop, plan your break strategically around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 91.5-mile segment on US 72, as services can be spaced out. The $50 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.4 miles from Signal Mountain, TN, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.5 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 70 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.4 miles or 3h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 13m
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 Signal 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Signal Mountain, TN
This is one driving day of about 318.8 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Signal Mountain, 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 US 72 for about 91.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 318.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
8
285.1 mi into trip|~5h 41m in|US 72
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 toward Collierville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Collierville, Memphis
7
307.6 mi into trip|~6h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 240 West: Jackson Miss
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 240 West: Jackson Miss
8
318.1 mi into trip|~6h 23m 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
318.2 mi into trip|~6h 24m 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
$49.84 one way
$99.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$54.72
$109.45
premium
$4.89
$61.35
$122.70
diesel
$5.61
$70.39
$140.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.6
1
$33.47
$15.30
Efficient EV
79.7
0
$27.90
$12.75
EV Truck/SUV
127.5
1
$44.63
$20.40
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 19, 2026
Origin
Signal Mountain, TN
Late night
in Signal Mountain on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Late night
in New South Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
4:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live 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.
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
24 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
6h 25m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the 318.8 miles on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 91.5 miles on US 72 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of your travel time.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.5 mi on US 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and John T Reid Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 318.8 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 8.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285.1 miles (US 72): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Signal Mountain, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Collierville, Memphis and To I-240: Memphis.
Collierville
285.1 mi in|~5h 41m|via US 72
Memphis
285.1 mi in|~5h 41m|via US 72
To I-240: Memphis
293.5 mi in|~5h 51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 318.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.5 miles on US 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285.1 miles (US 72): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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.
