Crossing Tennessee from New South Memphis to Jellico covers 402.1 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 59 minutes of drive time. Because this journey spans the entire width of the state within the Southeast region, you should plan for a full day on the road. While it is possible to complete the trip in one day, be prepared for a long haul behind the wheel. Budget approximately $61 for fuel to cover the distance, and keep in mind that this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate cruise. Whether you choose to power through in a single push or break it up, having a clear plan for your two planned stops will make the transit much more manageable.
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
201 miles from New South Memphis, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 59m. Total distance: 402.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than a typical highway sprint, as this route features a 0% highway share and relies heavily on local roads like South Parkway East, East Parkway South, and Sam Cooper Boulevard. The personality of this drive is decidedly turn-heavy, requiring your full attention as you navigate through local corridors rather than monotonous interstate lanes. Because the route lacks long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, you will find yourself constantly adjusting to the road's rhythm. This technical, local-focused profile means your actual travel time is heavily dependent on traffic conditions and intersection navigation. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and turns change frequently throughout the 402.1-mile journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 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?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 210.8 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 402.1 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 213.4 miles (I 40 / Downtown Loop): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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.
5
213.4 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|I 40 / Downtown Loop
Continue onto I 40 / Downtown Loop toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksv...
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...
5
303.5 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 70N, Primary SR 84: Monterey, Livingston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 70N, Primary SR 84: Monterey, Livings...
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 Jellico, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
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
Primary Sr 84: Monterey
303.5 mi in|~5h 37m
Livingston
303.5 mi in|~5h 37m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway
196.5 mi
3h 32m
I 40
89.6 mi
1h 37m
Clarkrange Highway
21.7 mi
32m
I 75
16.1 mi
17m
Howard H Baker Highway
15.8 mi
24m
Scott Highway
10.1 mi
14m
Nashville Highway
9.7 mi
13m
Deer Lodge Highway
9.5 mi
16m
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 Jellico, 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 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse 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; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 70N, Primary SR 84: Monterey, Livingston
13
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
0.6 mi·59 sec·South Holly Street
14
Turn right onto SR 62
1.4 mi·2 min·East Commercial Avenue
15
Turn straight onto SR 62
22 mi·32 min·Clarkrange Highway
16
Continue on SR 62
9.7 mi·13 min·Nashville Highway
17
Continue on SR 329
2.6 mi·4 min·Deer Lodge Highway
18
Turn right onto SR 329
0.2 mi·20 sec·Irving Street
19
Continue on SR 329
6.9 mi·12 min·Deer Lodge Highway
20
Turn left onto US 27
5.3 mi·6 min·Morgan County Highway
21
Continue on US 27
4.0 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
22
Continue on US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·Lon Foust Highway
23
Continue on US 27
6.1 mi·9 min·Scott Highway
24
Turn right onto SR 63; SR 297
16 mi·24 min·Howard H Baker Highway
25
Continue on SR 63
2.0 mi·3 min·Howard H. Baker Highway
26
Turn left onto Stinking Creek Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Stinking Creek Road
27
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Louisville
28
Merge onto I 75
16 mi·17 min·I 75
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward US 25W: Jellico
30
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·16 sec
31
Turn straight onto US 25W
1.1 mi·1 min·5th Street
32
Turn right onto US 25W
68 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
33
Arrive at destination
US 25W
Trip Plan
For a drive of nearly 8 hours, hitting the road early in the morning is your best bet to avoid peak congestion on the busy local thoroughfares. Since the route includes two stops, use them strategically to break up the technical, turn-heavy segments and keep your focus sharp. Given the $61 fuel estimate, check your gas levels before departing Memphis, as local routes can sometimes make finding convenient, quick-access fuel stations more difficult than on major interstates. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; don't hesitate to extend your rest periods if the local navigation becomes taxing. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the reliance on city-based boulevards and parkways means missing a single turn could add significant time to your total arrival estimate.
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 201 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 3h 45m 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 88 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201 miles or 3h 45m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jellico, 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 402.1 miles and 7h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 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 201 mi from New South Memphis, TN
· 3h 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 201 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 Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.5 miles.
Arriving in Jellico, TN
The final approach into Jellico, 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 Jellico, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 235.7
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 402.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.86 one way
$125.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$69.02
$138.04
premium
$4.89
$77.38
$154.76
diesel
$5.61
$88.78
$177.56
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: 140.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.6
1
$42.22
$19.30
Efficient EV
100.5
1
$35.18
$16.08
EV Truck/SUV
160.8
2
$56.29
$25.73
Gas CO2
141 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
New South Memphis, TN
Afternoon
in New South Memphis on Friday
Local time
3:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jellico, TN
Afternoon
in Jellico on Friday
Local time
4:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Sparta, TN
201 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.
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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 59m 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 Jellico, TN covers 402.1 miles and takes about 7h 59m 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, Clarkrange Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 201 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 $62.86 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 18 significant decision points across 402.1 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 213.4 miles (I 40 / Downtown Loop): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between New South Memphis, TN and Jellico, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
