Spanning 322.1 miles across Tennessee, this cross-state journey connects Madisonville to Jackson in approximately 5 hours and 59 minutes. Since 98 percent of the route relies on highway travel, you can expect a very efficient transit between the Southeast regions. Budgeting around $49 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-day trip. While the duration is manageable for a single day of driving, the nearly six-hour timeframe means you should plan for at least one stop to stay refreshed. This drive is best suited for those looking to reach their destination quickly without navigating complex backroads.
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
161.1 miles from Madisonville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
277.8 mi
5h
I 75
11.9 mi
12m
State Route 72
9.6 mi
14m
US 70
6 mi
8m
US 411
5.9 mi
6m
SR 72
5.7 mi
8m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Warren Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 277.8 mi, about 5h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madisonville, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on College Street South
8 ft·4 sec·College Street South
2
Turn right onto Warren Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Warren Street
3
Merge onto US 411
5.9 mi·6 min·US 411
4
Turn left onto SR 72
5.7 mi·8 min·SR 72
5
Continue on TN 72
9.6 mi·14 min·State Route 72
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward Primary SR 72: Loudon
7
Merge onto I 75
12 mi·12 min·I 75
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Toward I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 40
154 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
16
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·US 70
17
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
18
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your time on the road, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential congestion on the heavier interstate corridors. With a 322.1-mile journey ahead, pacing is key; plan your one required stop strategically to break up the long 277.8-mile stretch on I-40. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping that $49 estimate in mind as you navigate the transition from State Route 72 onto the larger interstates. Since this route is quite straightforward, your primary focus should be maintaining steady progress while staying alert during the extended highway segments.
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 161.1 miles from Madisonville, TN, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 277.8 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 71 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.1 miles or 3h 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 53m
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 Madisonville, 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 Madisonville, TN
This is one driving day of about 322.1 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Madisonville, 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 277.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.2 and 194.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.2 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Nashville
6
34.5 mi into trip|~44m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40 toward Nashville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
188.9 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
194.4 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
$47.57 one way
$95.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.51
$105.02
premium
$4.72
$59.80
$119.61
diesel
$4.80
$60.82
$121.64
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: 112.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.6
1
$33.82
$15.46
Efficient EV
80.5
0
$28.18
$12.88
EV Truck/SUV
128.8
1
$45.09
$20.61
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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 17, 2026
Origin
Madisonville, TN
Morning
in Madisonville on Sunday
Local time
10:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jackson, TN
Morning
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
9:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
WNW 5 to 10 mph14% 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 59m 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 177.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, dominated by the flow of I-75 and I-40. Once you transition onto the interstates, you will settle into a long, consistent stretch, including a significant 277.8-mile segment solely on I-40. Because your route is almost entirely highway-based, the experience is less about winding local roads and more about steady, high-speed travel. You will notice the landscape shifting as you move across the state, though the road's personality remains largely defined by the convenience and predictability of major interstate arteries.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 277.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 322.1 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 34.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,994 ft398 ft
Total Climb
1,721 ft
Total Descent
2,307 ft
Highest Point
1,994 ft
~92 mi in
Elevation Range
1,596 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Madisonville, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 72: Loudon, Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
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 59m. Total distance: 322.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m 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 277.8 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 34.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.9 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
