First off, I feel your pain when it comes to change of duty stations...been there...done that...with kids and animals. Moving to Germany meant flying alone with a 5-month-old and a 4-year-old...9 hours on a plane...tons of luggage to hand carry, passports to produce while carrying all those bags and holding a baby and a 4-yr-old's hand at customs, then jet lag.
But, we all survived it!
Net...Congratulations! I have traveled through TN from DC to OK and back and from FL to OK and back on several occasions. What I have seen of TN has been very pretty, but my experiences with Memphis are, with one exception, getting lost 'cuz the road signs were not helpful in pointing the way...so much so that I avoid going through Memphis when traveling now!
The first time, people downtown Memphis couldn't tell me how to get back on the highway I was pointing to overhead, so I saw quite of bit of that area.
Our last trip through, we ended up going back over the river again and had to turn around to get headed back Florida-way...we were following printed directions and highway signs the whole way.
However, I hear it's a great BBQ area, and TN has the Grand Ol' Opry, and a bunch more stuff, and I'd love to have time to just get lost and wander around aimlessly there for a while.
I traveled from OK to DC/MD with my Yorkie-Poo, Stormy, from OK to MA, then from MA to OK, and finally from OK to TX. I traveled from NH to FL with a Shep/Lab. There were lots of shorter trips.
On all trips both dogs did really well with normal gas, food, and potty stops.
One tip I would offer...get any shots, etc. at least a few days ahead...or wait until after you get to TN. I did not have that opportunity once, and my poor little love Stormy was not feeling well for 2,000 miles...I broke my trip in half to give him an overnight break. I felt so bad, but didn't know he would react badly to the shots.
I know it doesn't seem like there's time...so much to do, but you sound like me, and I believe you'll have all your lists made, and calendar set in no time and be completely ready...but maybe you won't be like me and organize yourself into funny stories for later on!