Jackson, TN to Signal Mountain, TN is 261.8 miles and takes about 4h 53m via I-24, I-40, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, making it a straightforward drive across the Southeast region. With 95% highway driving, you'll spend most of your time on interstates. Plan for a single day of travel, as the distance and time are manageable for most drivers. This route is designed for efficient 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
130.9 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m 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
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
US 27
3.4 mi
4m
Signal Mountain Boulevard
3.1 mi
4m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
Signal Mountain Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 103.1 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,972 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,410
Quietest
2 AM
~353 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Signal Mountain, 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
3.4 mi·4 min·US 27
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward US 127 North: Signal Mountain
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·12 sec
14
Turn straight onto US 127
1.6 mi·2 min·Signal Mountain Road
15
Continue on US 127
3.1 mi·4 min·Signal Mountain Boulevard
16
Turn sharp left onto Mississippi Avenue
189 ft·8 sec·Mississippi Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Mississippi Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 53-minute estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Jackson will allow ample time to reach Signal Mountain before evening. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so factor that into your budget. While there's only one recommended stop, you can easily take breaks as needed, especially during the 103.1-mile stretch on I-24. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time, but an earlier start is always recommended for smoother travel.
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 130.9 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 2h 23m 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 58 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.9 miles or 2h 23m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Signal Mountain, 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 261.8 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 11
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
$43.67 one way
$87.34 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$47.65
$95.30
premium
$5.25
$54.14
$108.29
diesel
$6.28
$64.69
$129.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.49
$12.57
Efficient EV
65.5
0
$22.91
$10.47
EV Truck/SUV
104.7
1
$36.65
$16.76
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Jackson, TN
Late night
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Signal Mountain, TN
Late night
in Signal Mountain on Friday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 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
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 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 153.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect extensive highway cruising on this route, with 95% of the drive on interstates like I-24 and I-40. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 103.1 miles on I-24, so settle in for some steady driving. The transition to surface roads will occur after this predominantly highway section. Keep an eye out for increased exit density as you approach your destination in Signal Mountain.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 96 miles in.
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 261.8 miles you will encounter 11 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
1,699 ft385 ft
Total Climb
2,411 ft
Total Descent
1,122 ft
Highest Point
1,699 ft
~261.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,314 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 Signal Mountain, 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.
Top landmarks
•Carnegie Center for Arts and History — building in Jackson, Tennessee, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 261.8 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 (95%). 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.
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 Signal Mountain, 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 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 4.9 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 Signal Mountain, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
