The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Banner Hill, TN covers 492.7 miles and takes about 9h 19m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 40, Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, I 81 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 210.5 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $77.03 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
246.4 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 35m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Banner Hill, TN covers 492.7 miles and takes about 9h 19m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 210.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 210.8 miles in.
Route Complexity7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 492.7 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 210.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 214 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
210.8 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
5
211 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
214 mi into trip|~4h in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
387.8 mi into trip|~7h 9m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
424.5 mi into trip|~7h 50m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New South Memphis, TN and Banner Hill, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Greeneville and Bulls Gap.
Huntsville
210.8 mi in|~3h 55m
Louisville
213.4 mi in|~3h 59m|via I 40
Knoxville
213.4 mi in|~3h 59m|via I 40
Chattanooga
213.4 mi in|~3h 59m|via I 40
Greeneville
447.2 mi in|~8h 14m
Bulls Gap
447.2 mi in|~8h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
210.5 mi
3h 50m
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
196.5 mi
3h 32m
I 81
22.7 mi
24m
West Andrew Johnson Highway
18 mi
21m
Governor John Sevier Highway
11.3 mi
16m
SR 81
6.9 mi
10m
Erwin Highway
6.4 mi
9m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 210.5 mi, about 3h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Banner Hill, TN.
1
Start on US 61
1.4 mi·2 min·South Third Street
2
Turn right onto South Parkway East
1.4 mi·2 min·South Parkway East
3
Continue on South Parkway East
2.7 mi·4 min·South Parkway East
4
Continue on South Parkway East
0.4 mi·40 sec·South Parkway East
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on SR 277
2.3 mi·3 min·East Parkway South
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto Sam Cooper Boulevard
6.1 mi·9 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 40
197 mi·3 hr 32 min·Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
23 mi·24 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward US 11E: Mosheim, Greeneville, Bulls Gap
15
Turn right onto US 11E
18 mi·21 min·West Andrew Johnson Highway
16
Turn right onto SR 107
0.9 mi·1 min·Tusculum Bypass
17
Continue on SR 107
6.4 mi·9 min·Erwin Highway
18
Continue on SR 107
11 mi·16 min·Governor John Sevier Highway
19
Continue on SR 81; SR 107
6.9 mi·10 min·SR 81; SR 107
20
Turn right onto North Main Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Turn slight left onto Love Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Love Street
22
Turn right onto Carolina Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Carolina Avenue
23
Turn left onto Washington Street
236 ft·10 sec·Washington Street
24
Turn right onto Adam Street
58 ft·2 sec·Adam Street
25
Arrive at destination
Adam Street
Trip Plan
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 246.4 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 4h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.4 miles or 4h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 246.4 miles or 4h 35m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Banner Hill, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New South Memphis, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New South Memphis, TN
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Banner Hill, TN
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from New South Memphis, TN.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 210.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 246.4 mi from New South Memphis, TN
· 4h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 246.4 miles from New South Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 210.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 246 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
Arriving in Banner Hill, TN
The final approach into Banner Hill, 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 Banner Hill, TN.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Banner Hill, TN with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 237.9
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 407.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.03 one way
$154.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg172 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$84.57
$169.15
premium
$4.89
$94.82
$189.63
diesel
$5.61
$108.78
$217.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
147.8
1
$51.73
$23.65
Efficient EV
123.2
1
$43.11
$19.71
EV Truck/SUV
197.1
2
$68.98
$31.53
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
58 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 data refreshed 1 day ago
Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Evening
in New South Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
8:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Banner Hill, TN
Night
in Banner Hill on Tuesday
Local time
9:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Johnson, TN
246 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
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
9h 19m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Banner Hill, TN covers 492.7 miles and takes about 9h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 246 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 246.4 miles from New South Memphis, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $77.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 492.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 210.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 214 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between New South Memphis, TN and Banner Hill, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Greeneville and Bulls Gap.