Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Night in New South Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
9:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New South Memphis, TN to Watertown, TN
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
7h 41m
Distance
405.4 mi
652 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 32m
★
6 AM
7h 42m
8 AM
8h 1m
10 AM
7h 49m
12 PM
7h 47m
3 PM
7h 50m
5 PM
8h 0m
8 PM
7h 36m
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
Watertown, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 405.4-mile journey from New South Memphis, TN, to Watertown, TN, will take approximately 7 hours and 41 minutes of driving time. It's a substantial drive, best suited for a single, focused day trip, though you might appreciate breaking it up given the duration. The route primarily utilizes Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway and I-40, with a significant portion also on Lamar Alexander Parkway, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $63, this drive through the Southeast region of Tennessee is a straightforward path. Planning for about two stops along the way will help manage the 7+ hour travel time.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
202.7 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive offers a blend of highway speeds and more local road cruising, with 48% of the route being on highways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 196.5 miles on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, which sets a consistent pace early on. As you progress, the drive transitions, incorporating I-40 and then Lamar Alexander Parkway, meaning the road's character evolves throughout the 7h 41m journey. This mixed profile means you'll encounter both faster travel and potentially more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 196.5 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 405.4 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 15 key pointsThese 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...
8
366.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...
10
367.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...
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 Watertown, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.
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
Oak Ridge
366.9 mi in
|
~6h 46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway | 196.5 mi | 3h 32m |
| I 40 | 153 mi | 2h 46m |
| Lamar Alexander Parkway | 26.9 mi | 36m |
| East Lamar Alexander Parkway | 9 mi | 13m |
| Sam Cooper Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| South Parkway East | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| East Parkway South | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
— 196.5 mi, about 3h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Watertown, 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
153 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
150 ft
·
2 sec
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 321
27 mi
·
36 min
·
Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 321
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lamar Alexander Parkway
16
Turn left onto Old Walland Highway
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Old Walland Highway
17
Turn left onto East Millers Cove Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Millers Cove Road
18
Turn right
33 ft
·
2 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 405.4-mile trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours and minimize traffic. With 7 hours and 41 minutes of estimated driving, planning for two stops is sensible for breaks and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 196.5-mile stretch on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. While this can be done in one day, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting the drive could be an option, though the route's direct nature makes a single-day push feasible. The $63 fuel cost is a good budget to keep in mind for this drive across Tennessee.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 202.7 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.5 miles.
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 89 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.7 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watertown, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New South Memphis, TN
This is one driving day of about 405.4 miles and 7h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from New South Memphis, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway for about 196.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 202.7 mi from New South Memphis, TN · 3h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
203 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 202.7 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 196.5 miles.
Arriving in Watertown, TN
The final approach into Watertown, 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 Watertown, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.38 one way
$126.76 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
142 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $69.59 | $139.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $78.02 | $156.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $89.51 | $179.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 121.6 | 1 | $42.57 | $19.46 |
| Efficient EV | 101.4 | 1 | $35.47 | $16.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162.2 | 2 | $56.76 | $25.95 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Destination
Watertown, TN
Night in Watertown on Tuesday
Local time
10:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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
7h 41m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Watertown, TN covers 405.4 miles and takes about 7h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, I 40, Lamar Alexander Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 202.7 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 $63.38 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 15 significant decision points across 405.4 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 Watertown, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.
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Return Trip
Watertown, TN to New South Memphis, TNPlan the drive back the other way.
406.9 mi
7h 42m
Continue From Watertown, TN
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