Blountville, TN to Jackson, TN is 411.4 miles and takes about 7h 31m via I-40 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from its eastern edge to the west. With 99% of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward transit, ideal if you need to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a single day of driving, making it a practical option for moving between these two points without requiring an overnight stay.
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
205.7 miles from Blountville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
331.1 mi
6h
I 81
69.2 mi
1h 14m
US 70
6 mi
8m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
1 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Bristol Highway
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 331.1 mi, about 6h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blountville, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on this road
98 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto SR 126
179 ft·7 sec·Bristol Highway
3
Turn right onto TN 394; I 81 Alt
1.0 mi·1 min·Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 81 SouthUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 81
68 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 81
6
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
7
Merge onto I 40
53 mi·59 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
121 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
15
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·US 70
16
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
17
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 31m estimated drive time, leaving Blountville in the morning will allow you to reach Jackson with daylight to spare. With only two recommended stops, you have flexibility in pacing your breaks. The longest stretch is over 331 miles on I-40, so plan for a significant portion of the drive without a major change in scenery or speed. Ensure your fuel tank is full before heading out, as highway travel often means fewer immediate services between exits, especially on longer interstate segments.
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 205.7 miles from Blountville, TN, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 331.1 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 91 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.7 miles or 3h 44m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blountville, 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 Blountville, TN
This is one driving day of about 411.4 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Blountville, 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 I 40 for about 331.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 283.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 81 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 81 South
7
123.4 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
278.2 mi into trip|~5h 2m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
280.4 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
283.7 mi into trip|~5h 10m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.75 one way
$121.51 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$67.07
$134.14
premium
$4.72
$76.38
$152.77
diesel
$4.80
$77.68
$155.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.4
1
$43.20
$19.75
Efficient EV
102.9
1
$36.00
$16.46
EV Truck/SUV
164.6
2
$57.60
$26.33
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Blountville, TN
Morning
in Blountville on Sunday
Local time
11:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 16 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Jackson, TN
Morning
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
10:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear then Areas Of Fog
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 16 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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 31m 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.
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 269.6
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 85.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway cruise, with 99% of the 411.4 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 331.1 miles on I-40, offering extended periods of consistent speed. Surface roads will only become a factor in the final miles as you approach Jackson. Expect a relatively uninterrupted drive with numerous exits along the way, typical for interstate travel of this length.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 331.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 411.4 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 123.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,843 ft410 ft
Total Climb
1,166 ft
Total Descent
2,291 ft
Highest Point
1,843 ft
~176.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,433 ft
Notable High Points
1,843 ft at ~176.8 miles+748 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blountville, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Jackson is a city in Western Tennessee that grew as a crossroads between various railroads in the four cardinal directions. It was the major commerce center of western Tennessee around the time of its founding in 1821 because Memphis had yet to emerge as a dominant community. Jackson hasn't been without its fair share of trials and travails as it knew the systemic ordeals of slavery for cotton production and lynchings and disenfranchisement as well as other places did in the South, plus high crime and tornadoes.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 411.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 331.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 51 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Jackson, 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. There are 51 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 123.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jackson, TN before the return drive.
