Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Afternoon in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
4h 13m
Distance
204 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
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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
Clarksville, TN
Kelly
Traveling from New South Memphis to Clarksville covers 204 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel to get from the Southeast region of Memphis to your destination in Clarksville. Navigating this route involves a mix of local roads and highways, specifically the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, Austin Peay Memorial Highway, and Main Street. It is a straightforward trip for those comfortable with navigating local infrastructure rather than relying solely on major interstates.
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
102 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
This 204-mile trek is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than a simple interstate cruise. You will find that only 14% of the total distance is spent on highways, meaning you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 69.4 miles spent on the Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, which provides a brief reprieve from the more frequent turns found elsewhere. As you progress from the Memphis area toward Clarksville, the road character shifts, requiring you to stay alert through various transitions between local streets and highway segments. Expect a drive that demands your full attention as you move through these Tennessee landscapes.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near South Parkway East.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 204 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (South Parkway East): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles (Sam Cooper Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Parkway East
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Sam Cooper Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 45 Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 70A; US 79 / East Van Hook Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from New South Memphis, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
Trenton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway | 69.4 mi | 1h 15m |
| Austin Peay Memorial Highway | 36.5 mi | 41m |
| Main Street | 29.8 mi | 36m |
| East Main Street | 16.4 mi | 24m |
| US 45E | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| Paris Bypass | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| US 45 Bypass | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Sam Cooper Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Clarksville, TN.
Start on US 61
Turn right onto South Parkway East
Continue on South Parkway East
Continue on South Parkway East
Continue on SR 277
Turn right onto Sam Cooper Boulevard
Continue on I 40
Take the exit
Merge onto US 45 Bypass
Take the exit onto US 45E
Turn right onto US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Turn left onto US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
Continue on US 79
Turn right onto SR 218
Turn right onto US 79; SR 218
Continue on US 79
Continue on US 79
Continue on US 79
Continue on US 79
Continue on US 79
Merge onto US 41A; US 79
Continue on US 41A; US 79
Continue on US 41A; US 79
Arrive at destination
Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. With a total duration of just over 4 hours, planning for at least one stop is a smart way to keep your energy levels up and break up the turn-heavy sections. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is roughly $30, so filling up before you leave New South Memphis can help you avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Because the route relies heavily on local roads like Main Street and Austin Peay Memorial Highway, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the frequent turns accurately. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the 204-mile journey much more comfortable.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102 miles or 2h 5m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksville, 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 204 miles and 4h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102 mi from New South Memphis, TN · 2h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 102 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 Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.4 miles.
The final approach into Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.99 one way
$61.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.16 | $68.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $38.51 | $77.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.32 | $90.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.42 | $9.79 |
| Efficient EV | 51 | 0 | $17.85 | $8.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.6 | 1 | $28.56 | $13.06 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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