Jackson, TN to Powells Crossroads, TN is 244.1 miles and takes about 4h 33m via I 40, I 24, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. It's a straightforward, primarily highway trip that’s well-suited for a single day of driving. Expect a direct path with minimal detours, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
122 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
89.2 mi
1h 35m
I 24
80 mi
1h 28m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
SR 28
6.2 mi
8m
TN 28
5.1 mi
5m
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
SR 283
2.6 mi
4m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 89.2 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Powells Crossroads, 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
80 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Primary SR 28: Jasper, Dunlap
11
Turn left onto TN 28
5.1 mi·5 min·TN 28
12
Continue on SR 28
6.2 mi·8 min·SR 28
13
Continue on SR 283
2.6 mi·4 min·SR 283
14
Turn left onto SR 283
58 ft·1 sec·Alvin C. York Highway
15
Arrive at destination
SR 283
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 33m estimated drive time, leaving Jackson, TN in the morning will allow you to reach Powells Crossroads, TN well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 244.1 miles, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break up the drive. The majority of this route is on interstates, so keep an eye on your fuel level as service areas can be spaced out on I 40 and I 24. The fuel cost estimate is around $38, so plan accordingly.
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 122 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.2 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 54 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122 miles or 2h 14m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Powells Crossroads, 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 244.1 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 89.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 96 and 229.8 — 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
229.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 28: Jasper, Dunlap
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 28: Jasper, Dunlap
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.16 one way
$76.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.90
$83.80
premium
$4.89
$46.97
$93.95
diesel
$5.61
$53.89
$107.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.2
0
$25.63
$11.72
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.36
$9.76
EV Truck/SUV
97.6
1
$34.17
$15.62
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 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
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Powells Crossroads, TN
Night
in Powells Crossroads on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
27 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 33m 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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 151.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 97% of this 244.1-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on I 40 covers 89.2 miles. After exiting the main interstates, you'll transition to Tennessee National Guard Parkway for the final leg. Expect a highway-focused experience with frequent exits on the interstate sections, transitioning to more open cruising as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. You will hit about 10 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 244.1 miles you will encounter 10 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.
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 Powells Crossroads, TN, road signs point toward Franklin, Primary Sr 28: Jasper and Dunlap.
Franklin
96 mi in|~1h 45m
Primary Sr 28: Jasper
229.8 mi in|~4h 14m
Dunlap
229.8 mi in|~4h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 244.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.2 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Powells Crossroads, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
