Spanning 374 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Spring Hill to Germantown is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through the Southeast. You should budget approximately 7 hours and 2 minutes of drive time, making it a long but manageable single-day trip if you get an early start. With a fuel estimate of $57, it is a relatively predictable commute for your wallet. Since the route stays entirely within the state, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. Whether you choose to power through in one go or break up the day, knowing the logistics ahead of time will keep your travel plans stress-free.
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
187 miles from Spring Hill, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
328.1 mi
5h 55m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
East Tri County Boulevard
5.7 mi
6m
North Germantown Parkway
5.4 mi
8m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
Edgemoor Road
4.1 mi
7m
South Illinois Avenue
3 mi
4m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 328.1 mi, about 5h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spring Hill, TN and Germantown, TN.
1
Start on Gade Lane
40 ft·4 sec·Gade Lane
2
Turn right onto Mehaffey Road
0.2 mi·59 sec·Mehaffey Road
3
Turn right onto Creek Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Creek Road
4
Turn right onto New Henderson Road
0.6 mi·1 min·New Henderson Road
5
Continue on New Henderson Road
1.4 mi·3 min·New Henderson Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto SR 170
4.1 mi·7 min·Edgemoor Road
7
Take the ramp
101 ft·2 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
9
Merge onto SR 62
2.7 mi·3 min·Oak Ridge Highway
10
Continue on SR 62
3.0 mi·4 min·South Illinois Avenue
11
Continue on SR 62
5.7 mi·6 min·East Tri County Boulevard
12
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
13
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
14
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
15
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
16
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
17
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
18
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
191 mi·3 hr 26 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 16AToward TN 177 South: GermantownUse the right lane.
25
Turn straight onto TN 177
5.4 mi·8 min·North Germantown Parkway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on TN 177
2.2 mi·4 min·South Germantown Road
27
Turn left onto Southern Avenue
175 ft·7 sec·Southern Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Southern Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your 7-hour transit smooth, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are facing a long haul on the interstate, leaving early in the morning helps you avoid the fatigue of a late-night arrival in Germantown. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 328-mile stretch on I-40, as this is where you will consume the bulk of your $57 budget. Since the route is highly highway-dependent, check for traffic patterns on I-40 before you depart to ensure your timing remains accurate. This trip is best approached with a steady, consistent pace rather than rushing through the long highway miles.
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 187 miles from Spring Hill, TN, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 328.1 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 82 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187 miles or 3h 34m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Germantown, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spring Hill, 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 Spring Hill, TN
This is one driving day of about 374 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Spring Hill, 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 328.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 366 — 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|Mehaffey Road
Turn right onto Mehaffey Road
Navigation decision point
9
169.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
171.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
7
174.9 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
7
366 mi into trip|~6h 48m in
Take the exit toward TN 177 South: Germantown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 16A
Toward TN 177 South: Germantown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.47 one way
$116.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$64.20
$128.40
premium
$4.89
$71.97
$143.95
diesel
$5.61
$82.57
$165.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.2
1
$39.27
$17.95
Efficient EV
93.5
1
$32.73
$14.96
EV Truck/SUV
149.6
1
$52.36
$23.94
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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
Spring Hill, TN
Morning
in Spring Hill on Sunday
Local time
10:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Germantown, TN
Morning
in Germantown on Sunday
Local time
9:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
8 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 2m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 154.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 89% of this trip is spent on highways like I-40, Harriman Highway, and East Tri County Boulevard. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel—specifically 328.1 miles—will be spent on the longest uninterrupted stretch of I-40. This creates a monotonous, steady flow that allows you to cover significant ground quickly. While the interstate dominates the landscape, the transition onto local roads like East Tri County Boulevard offers a shift in pace toward the end of your journey. Prepare for a focused, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 328.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mehaffey Road.
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 17 significant decision points across 374 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 (Mehaffey Road): Navigation decision point; at 169.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.6 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 Spring Hill, TN and Germantown, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Memphis
171.6 mi in|~3h 16m|via I 40
Louisville
172.7 mi in|~3h 18m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 374 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 328.1 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 Germantown, 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: near the start (Mehaffey Road): Navigation decision point; at 169.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Germantown, TN before the return drive.
