Spanning 308.1 miles across Tennessee, this cross-state drive connects Knoxville to Jackson in approximately 5 hours and 39 minutes. Since the entire journey remains within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural feel as you transition between these two hubs. It is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Budgeting around $47 for fuel should cover your needs, provided you stick to the primary transit corridors. Because this trip is heavily reliant on major infrastructure, it offers a straightforward, predictable travel experience for commuters and travelers alike.
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
154.1 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
296.6 mi
5h 22m
US 70
6 mi
8m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Western Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Ailor Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Henley Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 296.6 mi, about 5h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on US 441
0.2 mi·19 sec·Henley Street
2
Continue on US 441
0.1 mi·14 sec·Henley Street
3
Turn slight left onto SR 62
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
0.4 mi·43 sec·Ailor Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South
6
Merge onto I 40
18 mi·21 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
121 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
14
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·US 70
15
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
16
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 39-minute drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the long I-40 corridor. Since the drive is quite linear, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid potential congestion near the urban loops at either end of the trip. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially given the $47 estimated cost, as prices can fluctuate significantly between rural stretches and city centers. Because this route is so highway-dependent, check local traffic reports for the I-40 corridor before you depart to ensure there are no major delays. Using the flexibility of a single-day itinerary allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time road conditions.
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 154.1 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 296.6 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 68 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.1 miles or 2h 48m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, TN
This is one driving day of about 308.1 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Knoxville, 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 296.6 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 1.8 and 180.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
20.1 mi into trip|~24m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
174.9 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
177.1 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
180.4 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.17 one way
$96.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$52.89
$105.77
premium
$4.89
$59.29
$118.58
diesel
$5.61
$68.02
$136.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.4
1
$32.35
$14.79
Efficient EV
77
0
$26.96
$12.32
EV Truck/SUV
123.2
1
$43.13
$19.72
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Knoxville, TN
Late night
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, TN
Night
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph94% chanceLive forecast
77°F
Lebanon, TN
154 mi in
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 earlier
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 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 159.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 98% of your time will be spent on highways. The route is dominated by a single, massive 296.6-mile stretch on I-40, making it a quintessential interstate-focused drive. While you will navigate sections of US-70 and the Downtown Loop, the vast majority of the experience consists of consistent, high-speed travel. This is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for covering ground quickly rather than taking the scenic backroads. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a steady rhythm that favors steady cruising over technical maneuvering.
98% 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: 296.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 308.1 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 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Knoxville, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Knoxville, in Knox County, is the third-largest city in Tennessee. It is the home of the University of Tennessee's primary campus (UTK) and site of the 1982 World's Fair.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 308.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 296.6 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 Jackson, 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 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jackson, TN before the return drive.
