Fairview, TN to Jackson, TN is 310.4 miles and takes about 5h 49m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. You'll spend almost all your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. Given the relatively short duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. It’s a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
155.2 miles from Fairview, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
273.8 mi
4h 56m
West Lamar Alexander Parkway
22.2 mi
29m
US 70
6 mi
8m
William Blount Drive
3.5 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Fairview Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Old Niles Ferry Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 273.8 mi, about 4h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairview, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on Old Niles Ferry Road
0.3 mi·52 sec·Old Niles Ferry Road
2
Turn right onto Fairview Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Fairview Drive
3
Turn left onto US 129; US 411
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 129; US 411
4
Turn right onto SR 335
3.5 mi·6 min·William Blount Drive
5
Turn left onto US 321
22 mi·29 min·West Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 40
150 mi·2 hr 41 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
14
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·US 70
15
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
16
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 49m drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Jackson. With a longest stretch of 273.8 miles on I 40, you can comfortably cover most of the distance before needing a significant break. Plan for one stop to refuel and stretch, which should be sufficient. The fuel cost is estimated around $55, so factor that into your budget. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility, but sticking to the main highways will ensure the quickest transit.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.2 miles from Fairview, TN, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 273.8 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 68 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.2 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 46m
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 Fairview, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairview, TN
This is one driving day of about 310.4 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Fairview, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 273.8 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 26.6 and 182.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26.6 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
5
26.9 mi into trip|~39m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
177.2 mi into trip|~3h 20m 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
179.4 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
182.7 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
$45.84 one way
$91.68 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$50.60
$101.21
premium
$4.72
$57.63
$115.26
diesel
$4.80
$58.61
$117.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.1
1
$32.59
$14.90
Efficient EV
77.6
0
$27.16
$12.42
EV Truck/SUV
124.2
1
$43.46
$19.87
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Fairview, TN
Late night
in Fairview on Sunday
Local time
5:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 5 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:53PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Jackson, TN
Late night
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
WNW 5 to 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:53PM EDT by NWS Morristown 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
4 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
5h 49m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 160.6
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 97% of this 310.4-mile trip. The bulk of your driving, a continuous stretch of 273.8 miles, will be on I 40. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate this high-speed corridor for the majority of your travel. The transition to surface roads like West Lamar Alexander Parkway and US 70 will occur only for the final 9.2 miles.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 273.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and West Lamar Alexander Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.6 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 310.4 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 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,849 ft410 ft
Total Climb
1,307 ft
Total Descent
2,043 ft
Highest Point
1,849 ft
~88.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,439 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairview, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward 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 5h 49m. Total distance: 310.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 273.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 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.
