Los Portales Mexican Restaurant
Near the end, short detour
Jackson, Tennessee
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+17316646217
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 48m
Distance
92.6 mi
149 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dickson, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Jackson, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Connecting Dickson and Jackson, Tennessee, this 92.6-mile drive is a straightforward journey across the Southeast that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Given its manageable length, it works perfectly as a simple day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-40, Center Avenue, and US-70, keeping your travel costs predictable with an estimated fuel budget of $14. Because the route is compact and efficient, you have the flexibility to head out early or late depending on your schedule. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a reliable connection between these two Tennessee hubs without the fatigue of a long-haul trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Dickson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 76.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| Center Avenue | 9.1 mi | 16m |
| US 70 | 6 mi | 8m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Church Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West College Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dickson, TN and Jackson, TN.
Start on US 70 Business
Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate
Continue on SR 48 Alternate
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 70
Turn left onto US 70
Turn right onto East Main Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip with no mandatory stops required, you have the freedom to plan your departure around your personal preferences. You should account for the $14 fuel cost before you leave, ensuring your tank is ready for the 92.6-mile trek. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 76.3 miles, try to handle any necessary errands or vehicle checks in Dickson before merging onto I-40. If you are prone to fatigue, even on shorter drives, feel free to utilize the transitions onto US-70 or Center Avenue as natural points to stretch your legs. Keeping a flexible timeline is your biggest advantage, as you can easily navigate this route in under two hours without feeling rushed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dickson, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dickson, TN
This is one driving day of about 92.6 miles and 1h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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.
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 46.3 miles from Dickson, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Jackson, Tennessee
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+17316646217
Near the end, short detour
Jackson, Tennessee
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+17316646217
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Jackson, Tennessee
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+19012203010
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Jackson, Tennessee
Hours: 9 am–1 pm
+17316683353
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Jackson, Tennessee
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17317362362
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 92 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate / Church Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward SR 48: Centerville
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining
Take the exit toward US 70, US 412 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$14.48 one way
$28.95 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.90 | $31.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.82 | $35.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.44 | $40.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.72 | $4.44 |
| Efficient EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.10 | $3.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37 | 0 | $12.96 | $5.93 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Dickson on Sunday
Local time
12:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
12:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
78°F
Waverly, TN
46 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 89% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. The most significant portion of your journey is a 76.3-mile stretch on I-40, which dominates the transit and allows for steady, consistent speeds. While the transition onto Center Avenue and US-70 provides a shift in pace, the route remains largely focused on getting you to your destination efficiently. You won't find many technical turns or winding backroads here, making it a predictable, high-speed drive. By keeping your eyes on the interstate, you can anticipate a smooth transit across the regional landscape.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Center Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 48 Alternate / Church Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dickson, TN to Jackson, TN is easy. At 1h 48m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 92.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Dickson, TN or browse trips ending in Jackson, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.