Spencer, TN to New South Memphis, TN is 303.3 miles and takes about 5h 49m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting the Southeast region of the state to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's well-suited for a single day of travel. Expect a predominantly interstate experience, making it a practical option when you need to cover ground efficiently. The relatively short duration means you can likely complete it without needing an overnight stop.
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
151.6 miles from Spencer, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
164.8 mi
2h 58m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
John Bragg Highway
15.6 mi
18m
SR 30
15.4 mi
22m
Nashville Highway
10.2 mi
11m
McMinnville Highway
8.1 mi
10m
I 24
6.5 mi
6m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 164.8 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spencer, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on Sparta Street
42 ft·4 sec·Sparta Street
2
Turn right onto SR 30
1.4 mi·2 min·SR 30
3
At end of road, turn right onto SR 30
14 mi·20 min·SR 30
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
5
Keep slight left at fork
101 ft·2 sec
6
Turn left onto US 70S
2.4 mi·2 min·Sparta Highway
7
Continue on US 70S
0.5 mi·36 sec·Sparta Street
8
Continue on US 70S
3.1 mi·3 min·Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway
9
Take the exit onto US 70S
0.3 mi·48 sec·US 70S
10
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·12 sec
11
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.3 mi·18 sec·West Main Street
12
Continue on US 70S
10 mi·11 min·Nashville Highway
13
Continue on US 70S
8.1 mi·10 min·McMinnville Highway
14
Continue on US 70S; SR 53
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
15
Continue on US 70S
16 mi·18 min·John Bragg Highway
16
Turn left onto South Rutherford Boulevard
3.8 mi·5 min·South Rutherford Boulevard
17
Turn left onto US 231
0.3 mi·22 sec·South Church Street
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 24 West: NashvilleUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 24
6.5 mi·6 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 40
165 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
26
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
27
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
29
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
33
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
34
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 49m estimated duration, leaving Spencer, TN in the morning will allow you to reach New South Memphis, TN with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, you can easily manage this drive in a single day. Consider planning your fuel stops in advance, especially for the longest stretch of 164.8 miles on I 40, to ensure you maintain momentum. The $47 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge and local prices.
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 151.6 miles from Spencer, TN, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.8 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 67 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.6 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 44m
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 Spencer, 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 Spencer, TN
This is one driving day of about 303.3 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Spencer, 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 164.8 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 61.4 and 302.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
61.4 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 24 West: Nashville
8
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
7
289.1 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
302.6 mi into trip|~5h 48m 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
302.7 mi into trip|~5h 48m 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
$47.42 one way
$94.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$52.06
$104.13
premium
$4.89
$58.37
$116.73
diesel
$5.61
$66.96
$133.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91
1
$31.85
$14.56
Efficient EV
75.8
0
$26.54
$12.13
EV Truck/SUV
121.3
1
$42.46
$19.41
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Spencer, TN
Morning
in Spencer on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 19 at 5:37AM CDT until April 19 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 19 at 5:37AM CDT until April 19 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Morning
in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
6:30 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 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
5h 49m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 83% of the drive utilizing major roads like I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and John Bragg Highway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 164.8 miles primarily on I 40. The character of the drive is largely determined by these high-speed corridors, offering a predictable and efficient journey. While it's primarily an interstate experience, brief transitions onto other main roads provide minor variations.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.4 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 18 significant decision points across 303.3 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 61.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Spencer, TN to New South Memphis, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
68.2 mi in|~1h 28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 49m. Total distance: 303.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.8 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 61.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
