Spanning 310.4 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Jackson to Alcoa takes approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is focused heavily on interstate travel, you can comfortably complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $47 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a cross-state trip. You will primarily utilize I-40 to navigate between the two regions, eventually transitioning to the Pellissippi Parkway and Whitehall Street as you approach your destination. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a straightforward path that keeps you on major transit arteries for the majority of your time behind the wheel.
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 Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
285.5 mi
5h 9m
Pellissippi Parkway
10.7 mi
12m
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
North Wright Road
2.1 mi
5m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
Alcoa Highway
0.9 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 285.5 mi, about 5h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Alcoa, TN.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
3
Turn right onto US 70
4.0 mi·6 min·Whitehall Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
121 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
165 mi·2 hr 59 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ridge, MaryvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 376BToward I 140 East: MaryvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 140
11 mi·12 min·Pellissippi Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 11AToward US 129 South: Alcoa, Maryville
14
Merge onto US 129; TN 115
0.9 mi·1 min·Alcoa Highway
15
Take the exit
332 ft·10 sec
16
Turn left onto North Wright Road
2.1 mi·5 min·North Wright Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto East Edison Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Edison Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto Springbrook Road
94 ft·3 sec·Springbrook Road
19
Turn left onto Springbrook Road
115 ft·5 sec·Springbrook Road
20
Continue on Springbrook Road
40 ft·1 sec·Springbrook Road
21
Arrive at destination
Springbrook Road
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 5-hour and 45-minute trek. Since the longest stretch covers 285.5 miles, consider refueling early in the trip to avoid being caught low on gas while deep into the I-40 corridor. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion near major urban centers along the interstate. Given the high highway percentage, keep a close watch on your cruise control settings and stay alert during the long, repetitive stretches of road. Because the trip is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon traffic.
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 Jackson, TN, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 285.5 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 68 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.2 miles or 2h 50m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alcoa, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, TN
This is one driving day of about 310.4 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Jackson, 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 285.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 127.3 and 306.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
127.3 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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...
9
130.5 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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...
7
295.5 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ridge, Maryville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ri...
9
295.7 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 140 East: Maryville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 376B
Toward I 140 East: Maryville
6
306.6 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 129 South: Alcoa, Maryville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 11A
Toward US 129 South: Alcoa, Maryville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.53 one way
$97.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$53.28
$106.56
premium
$4.89
$59.73
$119.47
diesel
$5.61
$68.53
$137.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
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, 2026-04-13.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jackson, TN
Night
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alcoa, TN
Night
in Alcoa on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lafayette, TN
155 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
29 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
5h 45m 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 149.9
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 310.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 96% of the trip consisting of highway driving, this route is defined by consistent, high-speed interstate travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a massive 285.5-mile uninterrupted stretch of the journey. The experience is primarily a highway-focused drive, offering a predictable rhythm as you cross the state. While the initial leg is dominated by the long interstate haul, the final approach becomes more localized once you exit onto the Pellissippi Parkway. It is a functional and efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or winding backroads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 285.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Pellissippi Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 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 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 295.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jackson, TN and Alcoa, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Huntsville
127.3 mi in|~2h 19m
Louisville
130 mi in|~2h 23m|via I 40
Knoxville
130 mi in|~2h 23m|via I 40
Chattanooga
130 mi in|~2h 23m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 310.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 285.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Alcoa, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 295.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alcoa, TN before the return drive.
