Jackson, TN to Middle Valley, TN is 271.2 miles and takes about 5h 6m via I-24, I-40, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traveling entirely within Tennessee. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll be on major interstates for most of the trip, making it a practical option for a single-day journey.
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
135.6 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
103.1 mi
1h 54m
I 40
89.2 mi
1h 35m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
US 27
14.6 mi
17m
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
Thrasher Pike
2.3 mi
5m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 103.1 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,974 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,367
Quietest
2 AM
~348 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Middle Valley, 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
89 mi·1 hr 35 min·I 40
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 24
103 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
11
Continue on US 27
15 mi·17 min·US 27
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward Thrasher Pike
13
Turn right onto Thrasher Pike
2.3 mi·5 min·Thrasher Pike
14
Turn sharp left onto Middle Valley Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Middle Valley Road
15
Turn left onto Crabtree Road
101 ft·4 sec·Crabtree Road
16
Arrive at destination
Crabtree Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since the longest stretch is over 100 miles, plan a brief stop around the halfway point for fuel and a stretch, even though the total drive time is manageable for a single day. The route is almost entirely interstate, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can sometimes be spaced out between major exits on I-24 and I-40. Given the relatively short distance, you have flexibility to adjust your timing if needed.
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 135.6 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 60 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.6 miles or 2h 28m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middle Valley, 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 271.2 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 24 for about 103.1 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 96 and 252.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
96 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
5
96.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
149 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
5
149.7 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
252.9 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.05 one way
$80.10 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.21
$88.43
premium
$4.72
$50.35
$100.71
diesel
$4.80
$51.21
$102.42
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: 94.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.4
1
$28.48
$13.02
Efficient EV
67.8
0
$23.73
$10.85
EV Truck/SUV
108.5
1
$37.97
$17.36
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Jackson, TN
Late night
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:44AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Middle Valley, TN
Morning
in Middle Valley on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:44AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 6m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 149.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 96% highway, so expect to spend most of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 103.1 miles on I-24. You'll transition to surface roads as you approach your destination, but the vast majority of this drive is on high-speed, limited-access highways. Be prepared for a high volume of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate these major roadways.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.1 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 96 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 271.2 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 96 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.7 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 149 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,288 ft410 ft
Total Climb
1,365 ft
Total Descent
1,073 ft
Highest Point
1,288 ft
~213.1 mi in
Elevation Range
878 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Jackson, TN to Middle Valley, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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 5h 6m. Total distance: 271.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m 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 103.1 miles on I 24. 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.
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 96 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.7 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 149 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Middle Valley, TN before the return drive.
