Trip from Jackson, TN to Bluff City, TN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 41m

Distance

418.1 mi

673 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$70

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

7h 32m ★

6 AM

7h 41m

8 AM

8h 0m

10 AM

7h 48m

12 PM

7h 46m

3 PM

7h 49m

5 PM

7h 59m

8 PM

7h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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city in and county seat of Madison County, Tennessee, United States

Jackson, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Bluff City, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Jackson, TN to Bluff City, TN is 418.1 miles and takes about 7h 41m via I 40 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. Given its primarily highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. You’ll be on major interstates for almost the entire trip, making for a predictable and efficient transit.

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

209.1 miles from Jackson, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	331.1 mi	6h
I 81	69.1 mi	1h 14m
Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway	5.5 mi	7m
Whitehall Street	4 mi	6m
Downtown Loop	2.9 mi	4m
SR 390	2 mi	3m
US 70	1.8 mi	2m
East Main Street	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 331.1 mi, about 6h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Bluff City, TN.

Start on East Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 70

Turn right onto US 70

4.0 mi · 6 min · Whitehall Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 40

121 mi · 2 hr 9 min · I 40

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40; I 65

2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Downtown Loop

Exit 211B; 211A Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

174 mi · 3 hr 9 min · I 40

Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 40 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · I 81

Exit 421 Toward I 81 North: Bristol

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 69 Toward SR 394: Blountville, Bristol

Turn slight right

109 ft · 5 sec

Toward I 81 Alt North

Turn right onto TN 394; I 81 Alt

5.5 mi · 7 min · Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto SR 390

2.0 mi · 3 min · SR 390

Turn left onto Holston Drive

391 ft · 18 sec · Holston Drive

Turn right onto Carter Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Carter Street

Turn left onto SR 44

60 ft · 1 sec · Main Street

Arrive at destination

SR 44

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim to depart early, perhaps by 8 AM, to allow ample time for your two planned stops. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 331 miles on I 40, so be sure to fuel up before you begin this segment. Consider taking your longer break around the halfway point to break up the drive. Since the entire trip is doable in a single day, you have flexibility to adjust your stop timing based on your needs.

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 209.1 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 3h 49m 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 92 miles or 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 209.1 miles or 3h 49m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bluff City, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Jackson, TN

This is one driving day of about 418.1 miles and 7h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Jackson, 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.

human settlement in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Algood, TN

209 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Franklin, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Algood, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 209.1 miles from Jackson, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.7 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 127.3 and 410.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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...

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...

304.3 mi into trip | ~5h 33m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

341 mi into trip | ~6h 14m in | I 81

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 421 Toward I 81 North: Bristol

410.1 mi into trip | ~7h 28m in

Take the exit toward SR 394: Blountville, Bristol

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 69 Toward SR 394: Blountville, Bristol

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$69.74 one way

$139.49 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 146 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.62	$76.10	$152.19
premium	$5.25	$86.47	$172.94
diesel	$6.28	$103.31	$206.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$70

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$95–$120

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 146.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	125.4	1	$43.90	$20.07
Efficient EV	104.5	1	$36.58	$16.72
EV Truck/SUV	167.2	2	$58.53	$26.76

Gas CO2

146 kg

EV CO2

49 kg (66% 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 Oct 23, 2026

Origin

Jackson, TN

Night in Jackson on Friday

Local time

11:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Clear

ENE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Bluff City, TN

Late night in Bluff City on Saturday

Local time

12:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

35°F

Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog

NE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

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

12 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

7h 41m 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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 144.2

View on nps.gov

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

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...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 331.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a mostly highway drive, with 98% of the route on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 331.1 miles on I 40 before transitioning to I 81. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate these major roadways. The drive offers consistent cruising with minimal time spent on slower, surface streets.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 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 127.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 418.1 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 304.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,775 ft 410 ft

Total Climb

2,272 ft

Total Descent

1,228 ft

Highest Point

1,775 ft

~238.9 mi in

Elevation Range

1,365 ft

Notable High Points

1,775 ft at ~238.9 miles +683 ft prominence

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 Bluff City, 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

About the Cities

Starting in Jackson, TN

Full guide →

Founded 1821

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.

Top landmarks

• Carnegie Center for Arts and History — building in Jackson, Tennessee, USA

Arriving in Bluff City, TN

Full guide →

Founded 1887

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 41m. Total distance: 418.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 41m 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 50 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 Bluff City, 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 50 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bluff City, TN before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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