Jackson, TN to Jamestown, TN is 255.7 miles and takes about 4h 53m via I 40 and South York Highway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing Tennessee for its entirety. Expect a highway-focused drive that will get you to your destination efficiently. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll want to start with a full tank and be prepared for a solid stretch on the interstate.
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
127.8 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
210.1 mi
3h 47m
South York Highway
17 mi
23m
Clarkrange Highway
14.8 mi
22m
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
East Commercial Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
South Main Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 210.1 mi, about 3h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Jamestown, 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
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 70N, Primary SR 84: Monterey, Livingston
11
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
0.6 mi·59 sec·South Holly Street
12
Turn right onto SR 62
1.4 mi·2 min·East Commercial Avenue
13
Turn straight onto SR 62
15 mi·22 min·Clarkrange Highway
14
Turn left onto US 127
16 mi·21 min·South York Highway
15
Turn left onto South York Highway
1.4 mi·2 min·South York Highway
16
Continue on South Main Street
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
17
Turn right onto SR 52
43 ft·0 sec·East Central Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
SR 52
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 53-minute estimated drive time, starting your day in Jackson, TN with a full tank of gas is a good plan, especially since the longest stretch without a major town is over 200 miles. While you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, consider an early departure to maximize your time upon arrival in Jamestown, TN. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically; a midday stop around the halfway point could be ideal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition off I 40 onto the local highways.
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 127.8 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.1 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.8 miles or 2h 20m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamestown, 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 255.7 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 210.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 130.5 — 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.
5
130 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 40 / Downtown Loop
Continue onto I 40 / Downtown Loop toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksv...
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.98 one way
$79.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.89
$87.78
premium
$4.89
$49.21
$98.41
diesel
$5.61
$56.46
$112.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.85
$12.27
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.23
EV Truck/SUV
102.3
1
$35.80
$16.36
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jackson, TN
Night
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jamestown, TN
Night
in Jamestown on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
28 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 53m 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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 83% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 40, covering a continuous stretch of 210.1 miles. The latter portion of the drive involves South York Highway and Clarkrange Highway, offering a slight shift from the interstate pace. While not overly complex, be ready for a consistent cruising speed for most of the trip.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 210.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and South York Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 255.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
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 Jamestown, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
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
Primary Sr 84: Monterey
220.1 mi in|~4h 1m
Livingston
220.1 mi in|~4h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 255.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 210.1 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 Jamestown, 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 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Jamestown, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
