Jackson, TN to Fairfield Glade, TN is 249 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily in Tennessee, and is a straightforward drive. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it’s a good option for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points.
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
124.5 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
231.7 mi
4h 10m
Peavine Road
6.4 mi
11m
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Snead Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Lakeview Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 231.7 mi, about 4h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Fairfield Glade, 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
111 mi·2 hr·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward TN 101: Crossville
11
Turn left onto SR 101
6.4 mi·11 min·Peavine Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto Snead Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Snead Drive
13
Turn left onto Lakeview Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Lakeview Drive
14
Arrive at destination
Lakeview Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 39m drive, consider leaving Jackson, TN in the morning to allow for a relaxed arrival. Since the drive is just under 5 hours and has a fuel cost of approximately $39, it’s easily manageable in one day. You'll have a single recommended stop, so plan for a brief break along I 40. As most of the route is on I 40, be aware of potential traffic near larger towns along the way, especially if you encounter construction zones.
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 124.5 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 231.7 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield Glade, 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 249 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 231.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 241.8 — 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...
6
241.8 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|SR 101 / Peavine Road
Turn left onto SR 101 / Peavine Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.77 one way
$73.54 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.59
$81.19
premium
$4.72
$46.23
$92.46
diesel
$4.80
$47.02
$94.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.15
$11.95
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.79
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.86
$15.94
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 25, 2026
Origin
Jackson, TN
Morning
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
10:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
0 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fairfield Glade, TN
Morning
in Fairfield Glade on Sunday
Local time
10:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 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
4h 39m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 146
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 94% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 231.7 miles on I 40, so expect long stretches of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads, like Peavine Road and Whitehall Street, occurs near the end of your trip. Pay attention to the dense exits on I 40 as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 231.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Peavine Road. 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 11 significant decision points across 249 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
2,085 ft410 ft
Total Climb
2,092 ft
Total Descent
417 ft
Highest Point
2,085 ft
~249 mi in
Elevation Range
1,675 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 Fairfield Glade, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
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 4h 39m. Total distance: 249 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 231.7 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Fairfield Glade, 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 30 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Fairfield Glade, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
