Jackson, TN to Church Hill, TN is 391.1 miles and takes about 7h 16m via Whitehall Street, I 40 East, and Downtown Loop, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from one side to the other. Given its length and duration, this route is best suited for a single-day drive if you get an early start. Expect a mix of highway and surface roads, so plan for varying speeds and traffic conditions throughout the 7-hour trip.
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
195.5 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
302 mi
5h 28m
Lee Highway
32.8 mi
38m
Rutledge Pike
28.5 mi
32m
Rogersville Bypass
14.1 mi
16m
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
Main Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 302 mi, about 5h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Church Hill, 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
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
7.6 mi·9 min·I 40
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 11W: Knoxville Zoo
12
Keep slight right at fork
391 ft·9 sec
Toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean Station
13
Continue on US 11W
29 mi·32 min·Rutledge Pike
14
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
12 mi·13 min·Lee Highway
15
Merge onto US 11W; US 25E; SR 1; SR 32; ADHS S
1.7 mi·1 min·Appalachian Highway
16
Turn left onto Old US 11W
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
17
Turn left onto US 11W; SR 1
16 mi·18 min·Lee Highway
18
Continue on US 11W; SR 1
3.4 mi·3 min·Rogersville Bypass
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11W; SR 1
11 mi·12 min·Rogersville Bypass
20
Continue on US 11W
5.7 mi·6 min·Lee Highway
21
Take the exit
277 ft·9 sec
22
Continue on SR 346
0.5 mi·51 sec·Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
SR 346
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 16m drive, aim to depart from Jackson, TN early in the morning. With 391.1 miles ahead, breaking up the drive with your two planned stops will be important for staying refreshed. Since you'll be on surface roads for the entire trip, be prepared for potential traffic delays in populated areas. The estimated fuel cost is $62, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Jackson, and keep an eye on your gauge as you approach Church Hill, TN, as fuel availability might be more spread out on non-interstate routes.
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 195.5 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 302 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 86 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.5 miles or 3h 35m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Church Hill, 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 391.1 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 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 302 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 312.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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...
5
127.6 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
312.1 mi into trip|~5h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.24 one way
$130.48 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$70.91
$141.81
premium
$5.26
$80.98
$161.95
diesel
$6.18
$95.14
$190.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.3
1
$41.07
$18.77
Efficient EV
97.8
1
$34.22
$15.64
EV Truck/SUV
156.4
1
$54.75
$25.03
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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 19, 2026
Origin
Jackson, TN
Evening
in Jackson on Monday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Church Hill, TN
Night
in Church Hill on Monday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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 16m 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 148.3
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 350.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a significant amount of surface road driving, with 100% of the trip on roads like Whitehall Street, Downtown Loop, and others, rather than interstate highways. You'll be navigating primarily surface streets for the entire 391.1 miles. The longest stretch without a stop is not specified, but the overall duration of 7h 16m suggests you'll encounter varied traffic and speed limits as you move through different towns and areas.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 302 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Lee Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort7/10
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 391.1 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 6.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.6 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,934 ft383 ft
Total Climb
2,274 ft
Total Descent
1,462 ft
Highest Point
1,934 ft
~223.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,552 ft
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 Church Hill, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Blaine and Rutledge - among others.
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 16m. Total distance: 391.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 302 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 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 Church Hill, 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.6 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Church Hill, TN before the return drive.
