Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
281.9 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
The drive from Lafayette, TN to New South Memphis, TN covers 281.9 miles and takes about 4h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 24 West, I 40 West, Downtown Loop for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.85 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
141 miles from Lafayette, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 23m drive with frequent turns across 281.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Downtown Loop | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sam Cooper Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Perkins Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Perkins Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Perkins Extended | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Perkins Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
Start on Nashville Highway
Turn left
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Merge slight right onto Downtown Loop
Continue on Downtown Loop
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Memphis
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
Take the exit slight right toward Perkins Road
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
Continue on Perkins Extended
Continue on South Perkins Road
Take the ramp slight right toward I 240 West
Merge slight left onto Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Continue on W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street
Keep slight right to continue on US 61 North: Third Street
Turn straight onto South Third Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141 miles or 2h 11m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New South Memphis, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, TN
This is one driving day of about 281.9 miles and 4h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 141 mi from Lafayette, TN · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 141 miles from Lafayette, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into New South Memphis, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around New South Memphis, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$41.85 one way
$83.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $47.20 | $94.40 |
| premium | $4.65 | $51.65 | $103.30 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $58.87 | $117.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.60 | $13.53 |
| Efficient EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.8 | 1 | $39.47 | $18.04 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Lafayette on Saturday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in New South Memphis on Saturday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Franklin, TN
141 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from Lafayette, TN or browse trips ending in New South Memphis, TN.
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