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Trip from New South Memphis, TN to Athens, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 21m

Distance

368.6 mi

593 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
7h 11m ★
6 AM
7h 21m
8 AM
7h 42m
10 AM
7h 28m
12 PM
7h 26m
3 PM
7h 29m
5 PM
7h 41m
8 PM
7h 15m

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

city in McMinn County, Tennessee, United States

Athens, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Athens, TN covers 368.6 miles and takes about 7h 21m 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 75 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 123.3 miles on US 72. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.63 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

184.3 miles from New South Memphis, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 72 123.3 mi 2h 28m
I 565 92.8 mi 1h 46m
I 75 46.6 mi 52m
I 24 33.1 mi 38m
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
Longest stretch: US 72 — 123.3 mi, about 2h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Athens, TN.

1

Start on US 61

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South Third Street
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 55 South, I 240 East: Nashville, Jackson Miss
3

Merge onto I 55

3.9 mi · 5 min · W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Continue on I 240

6.0 mi · 8 min · Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 16 Toward SR 385 East: Bill Morris Parkway, Collierville, Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on TN 385

14 mi · 17 min · Bill Morris Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward US 72: Collierville, Corinth Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Toward US 72 East: Corinth Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto US 72

22 mi · 26 min · US 72
Use the straight lane.
10

Enter roundabout onto US 72

153 ft · 1 sec · US 72
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
11

Continue on US 72

57 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 72
Toward US 72 East: Corinth Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on US 72

0.2 mi · 17 sec · US 72
13

Continue on US 72

44 mi · 52 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20

8.4 mi · 9 min · Wheeler Highway
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

20 mi · 24 min · Joe Wheeler Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

8.6 mi · 12 min · US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20

1.8 mi · 2 min · 6th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

3.0 mi · 3 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Toward Huntsville Use the left lane.
19

Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate

93 mi · 1 hr 46 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I-24 East: Chattanooga
21

Merge onto I 24

33 mi · 38 min · I 24
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 185 B Toward I 75 North: Knoxville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto I 75

47 mi · 52 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Exit 49 Toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur
25

Turn right onto TN 30

3.2 mi · 5 min · Decatur Pike
26

Continue on SR 30

0.6 mi · 53 sec · Green Street
27

Turn right onto SR 39

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Washington Avenue
28

Arrive at destination

SR 39

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.3 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.3 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 81 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 184.3 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 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, 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 368.6 miles and 7h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 US 72 for about 123.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Madison County, Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Huntsville, AL

184 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

Tupelo, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Moulton, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 184.3 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 US 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Decatur, Alabama

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 184.3

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Collierville, Tennessee

2.2 mi

Ranch House Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Town Creek, Alabama

2.3 mi

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 184.3

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.3

Collierville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+19018530010

Visit website

Ranch House Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 158

Town Creek, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12566852002

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 184.3

Decatur, Alabama

+12563069992

Sonic Drive-In

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 184.3

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12565849724

Visit website

Blues City Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+19015263637

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 184.3

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12563506263

Visit website

Mystic Mocha Café

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 105.3

Burnsville, Mississippi

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+16626431277

Visit website

Crazy Gander Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19015523852

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 184.3

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Ford Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18008430468

Monte Sano State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12565343757

Visit website

North Alabama Railroad Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 210.6

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12568516276

Visit website

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 316

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14237604333

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.6 and 316.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
10.6 mi into trip | ~14m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 16 Toward SR 385 East: Bill Morris Parkway, Collie...
7
25.2 mi into trip | ~32m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 72: Collierville, Corinth
8
25.5 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 72 East: Corinth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 72 East: Corinth
8
148.9 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
8
316.9 mi into trip | ~6h 20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 185 B Toward I 75 North: Knoxville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.63 one way

$115.25 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 129 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $63.27 $126.54
premium $4.89 $70.93 $141.87
diesel $5.61 $81.38 $162.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 129 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 110.6 1 $38.70 $17.69
Efficient EV 92.2 1 $32.25 $14.74
EV Truck/SUV 147.4 1 $51.60 $23.59

Gas CO2

129 kg

EV CO2

43 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 as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

New South Memphis, TN

Afternoon in New South Memphis on Saturday

Local time

3:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSW 15 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Destination

Athens, TN

Afternoon in Athens on Saturday

Local time

4:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°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

18 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 21m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

368.6 mi in 7h 21m, mostly highway — 123.3 mi of that is on US 72.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.3 mi on US 72.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 368.6 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.

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 Athens, TN, road signs point toward Corinth, Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.

Corinth

25.2 mi in | ~32m

Decatur

148.9 mi in | ~3h 1m | via US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Joe Wheeler State Park

148.9 mi in | ~3h 1m | via US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Huntsville

187.9 mi in | ~3h 51m | via US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 21m. Total distance: 368.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 123.3 miles on US 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Athens, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Athens, TN before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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