Trip from Walden, TN to New South Memphis, TN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 34m

Distance

323 mi

520 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 22m ★

6 AM

6h 34m

8 AM

6h 59m

10 AM

6h 43m

12 PM

6h 40m

3 PM

6h 44m

5 PM

6h 57m

8 PM

6h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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town in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States

Walden, TN

Wikimedia Commons

New South Memphis, TN

Dee Hunna

Trip Overview

This 321.2-mile journey from Walden to New South Memphis, Tennessee, is designed as a single-day adventure, requiring approximately 5 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, including Lake Avenue, Key-Hulse Road, and Fairmount Pike, with no highway driving contributing to the total distance. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $49, making it an economical option. Given its duration and the turn-heavy nature of the drive, it's best suited for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional experience.

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

161.5 miles from Walden, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m 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

Traffic on I-24

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,974 veh/hr typical · worst 2,367

Quietest

2 AM

~348 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Walden, TN and New South Memphis, TN.

Start on Ivory Avenue

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Ivory Avenue

Turn right onto Lake Avenue

0.3 mi · 59 sec · Lake Avenue

Continue on Key-Hulse Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Key-Hulse Road

Turn straight onto Fairmount Pike

0.3 mi · 1 min · Fairmount Pike

Turn straight onto US 127

3.1 mi · 4 min · Taft Highway

Continue on US 127

3.0 mi · 4 min · Signal Mountain Boulevard

Continue on US 127

1.6 mi · 2 min · Signal Mountain Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Merge onto US 27

3.3 mi · 4 min · US 27

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 42 sec

Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 24

26 mi · 29 min · I 24

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Exit 152A Toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg

Continue on US 72

18 mi · 20 min · North Cedar Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 72

0.8 mi · 56 sec · Lee Highway

Continue on US 72

2.0 mi · 2 min · John T Reid Parkway

Continue on US 72

2.0 mi · 2 min · Lee Highway

Continue on US 72

70 mi · 1 hr 20 min · John T Reid Parkway

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

3.5 mi · 4 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20

1.6 mi · 2 min · Bee Line Highway

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.

Continue on US 72

22 mi · 26 min · US 72

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 72

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 72

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 72

9.5 mi · 12 min · Highway 72

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 72

1.4 mi · 2 min · US 72

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 72

44 mi · 52 min · US 72

Use the straight / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto US 72

155 ft · 1 sec · US 72

Toward US 72 West: Memphis

Continue on US 72

13 mi · 15 min · US 72

Toward US 72 West: Memphis Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 72

8.4 mi · 10 min · US 72

Toward Collierville, Memphis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward TN 385 West, To I-240: Memphis

Merge onto TN 385

14 mi · 16 min · Bill Morris Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 240 West: Jackson Miss Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 240 West: Jackson Mississippi

Merge onto I 240

5.7 mi · 7 min · Avron B Fogelman Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 240

3.7 mi · 5 min · W B Fowler Senior Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec

Exit 7 Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward US 61 North: Third Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto US 61

0.4 mi · 36 sec · South Third Street

Arrive at destination

US 61

Trip Plan

With a driving time of just over 5.5 hours, this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Walden to maximize your daylight and allow ample time for the numerous turns. A single designated stop is factored into the recommended plan, so choose a point roughly halfway to break up the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially since you'll be on local roads for the entire 321.2 miles; it's wise to top off before leaving Walden. The primary tip for this route is to stay attentive to your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means precise navigation is key.

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 161.5 miles from Walden, TN, or about 3h 15m 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 71 miles or 1h 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 161.5 miles or 3h 15m 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 21m

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 Walden, 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 Walden, TN

This is one driving day of about 323 miles and 6h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Walden, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, AL

162 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Huntsville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Decatur, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.5 miles from Walden, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Decatur, Alabama

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 2h 48m in / 3h 46m to go 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Collierville, Tennessee

1.7 mi

Ranch House Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Town Creek, Alabama

1.4 mi

Best coffee break · final third

SoCo Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Corinth, Mississippi

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 1h 54m to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+16625941271

Visit website

Crave Corinth

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Corinth, Mississippi

0.9 mi

Cream & Sugar Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iuka, Mississippi

2.8 mi

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Collierville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+19018530010

Visit website

Ranch House Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Town Creek, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12566852002

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Decatur, Alabama

+12563069992

Sonic Drive-In

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12565849724

Visit website

Blues City Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+19015263637

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12563506263

Visit website

SoCo Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Corinth, Mississippi

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+16625941271

Visit website

7 Brew Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Corinth, Mississippi

Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm

+14793589274

Visit website

Crave Corinth

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Corinth, Mississippi

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+16623960193

Visit website

Cream & Sugar Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Iuka, Mississippi

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16625933498

Visit website

SoCo Grind Iuka

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Iuka, Mississippi

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+16626643291

Visit website

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19015523852

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Corinth, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

2.2 mi from route

Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18008430468

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 12.5 and 322.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

12.5 mi into trip | ~21m 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

289.3 mi into trip | ~5h 50m 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

311.9 mi into trip | ~6h 18m 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

322.3 mi into trip | ~6h 33m 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

322.4 mi into trip | ~6h 33m 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

$47.70 one way

$95.40 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.14	$52.66	$105.32
premium	$4.72	$59.97	$119.94
diesel	$4.80	$60.99	$121.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 113 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	96.9	1	$33.92	$15.50
Efficient EV	80.8	0	$28.26	$12.92
EV Truck/SUV	129.2	1	$45.22	$20.67

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Walden, TN

Afternoon in Walden on Sunday

Local time

12:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

NW 0 to 5 mph 53% chance Live forecast

Destination

New South Memphis, TN

Morning in New South Memphis on Sunday

Local time

11:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

93°F

Sunny

WNW 5 to 10 mph 8% chance Live forecast

92°F

Decatur, AL

162 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

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

6h 34m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as 0% of the journey is on highways. You'll be covering ground on roads like Lake Avenue, Key-Hulse Road, and Fairmount Pike. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests a continuous engagement with local terrain rather than long, monotonous stretches. This means you can expect a dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in direction and potentially varied road conditions as you move through different communities.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

38 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 12.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 323 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 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.3 miles (US 72): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,905 ft 260 ft

Total Climb

299 ft

Total Descent

1,944 ft

Highest Point

1,905 ft

Elevation Range

1,645 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Walden, TN and New South Memphis, TN, road signs point toward Collierville, Memphis and To I-240: Memphis.

Collierville

289.3 mi in | ~5h 50m | via US 72

Memphis

289.3 mi in | ~5h 50m | via US 72

To I-240: Memphis

297.7 mi in | ~6h 1m

About the Cities

Starting in Walden, TN

Full guide →

Top landmarks

• Nathan L. Bachman School — school building in Walden, United States of America

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 323 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 34m 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 17 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Walden, TN to New South Memphis, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-24

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

The Mallard Coffee Company

SoCo Grind

The Mallard Coffee Company

Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain

Ranch House Restaurant

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

Sonic Drive-In

Blues City Cafe

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

SoCo Grind

7 Brew Coffee

Crave Corinth

Cream & Sugar Cafe

SoCo Grind Iuka

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Rest Area

ONE9 Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Tennessee Welcome Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Hwy 25 Truck and Trailer Parts

Driver Services Center

Tennessee Welcome Center

Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Walden, TN

New South Memphis, TN

1 hour earlier

3 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 34m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Walden, TN

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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