Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
6h 14m
Distance
311.6 mi
501 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New South Memphis, TN
Dee Hunna
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 311.6 miles and takes about 6h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 72, I 565, I 24 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 123.3 miles on US 72. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.33 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
155.8 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .
This is a 6h 14m highway drive covering 311.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 72 and I 565. The longest continuous stretch is about 123.3 miles on US 72.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.6 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 311.6 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 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward SR 385 East: Bill Morris Parkway, Collierville,
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 72: Collierville, Corinth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 72 East: Corinth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Between New South Memphis, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Corinth, Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.
Corinth
Decatur
Joe Wheeler State Park
Huntsville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 72 | 123.3 mi | 2h 28m |
| I 565 | 92.8 mi | 1h 46m |
| I 24 | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| Joe Wheeler Highway | 20.2 mi | 24m |
| Bill Morris Parkway | 13.9 mi | 17m |
| US 72 Alternate | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| Wheeler Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Avron B Fogelman Expressway | 6 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
Start on US 61
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55
Continue on I 240
Take the exit
Continue on TN 385
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 72
Enter roundabout onto US 72
Continue on US 72
Continue on US 72
Continue on US 72
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate
Take the exit
Merge onto I 24
Take the exit
Continue on US 27
Take the exit
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Arrive at destination
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 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.8 miles or 3h 9m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New South Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 311.6 miles and 6h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.8 mi from New South Memphis, TN · 3h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 155.8 miles from New South Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.3 miles.
The final approach into Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, TN.
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.
Regular Gas
$47.33 one way
$94.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $52.17 | $104.35 |
| premium | $4.80 | $58.82 | $117.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.23 | $138.45 |
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: 109 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.72 | $14.96 |
| Efficient EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.27 | $12.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.6 | 1 | $43.62 | $19.94 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in New South Memphis on Monday
Local time
1:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Chattanooga on Monday
Local time
2:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Return Trip
Chattanooga, TN to New South Memphis, TNPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from New South Memphis, TN or browse trips ending in Chattanooga, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for New South Memphis, TN or Chattanooga, TN on MapSof.net.