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Trip from New South Memphis, TN to Erwin, TN

Drive Time

9h 16m

Distance

491.4 mi

791 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$75

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
9h 8m ★
6 AM
9h 16m
8 AM
9h 33m
10 AM
9h 22m
12 PM
9h 20m
3 PM
9h 23m
5 PM
9h 32m
8 PM
9h 11m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown New South Memphis, TN, TN

New South Memphis, TN

Dee Hunna

Downtown Erwin, TN, TN

Erwin, TN

Vladimir Srajber

Trip Overview

The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Erwin, TN covers 491.4 miles and takes about 9h 16m 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 $74.64 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

245.7 miles from New South Memphis, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Erwin, TN covers 491.4 miles and takes about 9h 16m, 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 21 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 Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 491.4 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 13 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 Along This Route

Between New South Memphis, TN and Erwin, 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 Erwin, 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 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville Use 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; 211A Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

174 mi · 3 hr 9 min · I 40
Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use 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 421 Toward 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

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Main Avenue
Use the right lane.
21

Arrive at destination

South Main Avenue

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 245.7 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 4h 34m 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 245.7 miles or 4h 34m 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 245.7 miles or 4h 34m

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 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erwin, 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 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Erwin, TN

Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.6 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 245.7 mi from New South Memphis, TN · 4h 34m into the drive

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Johnson, TN

246 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Johnson, TN

Overnight Options

Night 1

Johnson, TN

246 mi · about 4.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Johnson, TN after about 246 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Clarksville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 245.7 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 4.6 hours on the road.

Arriving in Erwin, TN

The final approach into Erwin, 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 Erwin, TN.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Erwin, 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

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 237.2
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

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...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour Free near mile 406.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$74.64 one way

$149.28 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 172 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $82.28 $164.56
premium $4.80 $92.77 $185.53
diesel $5.64 $109.17 $218.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$75

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$205–$315

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 171.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 147.4 1 $51.60 $23.59
Efficient EV 122.9 1 $43.00 $19.66
EV Truck/SUV 196.6 2 $68.80 $31.45

Gas CO2

172 kg

EV CO2

57 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.

Forecast data refreshed 12 hours ago

Origin

New South Memphis, TN

Afternoon in New South Memphis on Monday

Local time

12:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Erwin, TN

Afternoon in Erwin on Monday

Local time

1:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

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

8 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 16m 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 Erwin, TN covers 491.4 miles and takes about 9h 16m 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 245.7 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 $74.64 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 13 significant decision points across 491.4 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 Erwin, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Greeneville and Bulls Gap.

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