Monteagle, TN to Jackson, TN is 210.6 miles and takes about 3h 52m via I 40 and I 24, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region, and is a straightforward, highway-focused trip. You'll spend nearly all your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive time and a low fuel cost, this route is a convenient option for many travelers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
105.3 miles from Monteagle, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
88.8 mi
1h 35m
I 24
60 mi
1h 5m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
US 70
6 mi
8m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 88.8 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monteagle, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on US 41
0.3 mi·37 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn slight left
304 ft·13 sec
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
4
Merge onto I 24; US 64
60 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 24; US 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 40
89 mi·1 hr 35 min·I 40
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
9
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·US 70
10
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
11
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
12
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day drive of under 4 hours, you have considerable flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major town is 88.8 miles on I 40, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, as services might be more spaced out during that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, it's a budget-friendly trip, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during longer highway runs. Consider a brief stop around the midway point to stretch your legs and stay refreshed for the remainder of the drive.
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 105.3 miles from Monteagle, TN, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.8 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 46 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.3 miles or 1h 56m 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 8m
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 Monteagle, 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 Monteagle, TN
This is one driving day of about 210.6 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Monteagle, 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 88.8 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 203.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|I 24; US 64
Merge onto I 24; US 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
5
61.4 mi into trip|~1h 8m 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.
5
203.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 70, US 412 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 70, US 412 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.92 one way
$65.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.15
$72.30
premium
$4.89
$40.53
$81.06
diesel
$5.61
$46.50
$93.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.43
$8.42
EV Truck/SUV
84.2
1
$29.48
$13.48
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Monteagle, TN
Late night
in Monteagle on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, TN
Late night
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
6 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
3h 52m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 99% highway-focused drive on this route, meaning you'll be on major interstates for almost the entire journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.8 miles on I 40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway travel. This profile suggests a drive characterized by speed and efficiency rather than winding backroads or frequent scenic detours. You'll primarily be navigating major corridors like I 40 and I 24, with a brief section on Tennessee National Guard Parkway, offering a predictable driving experience.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 52m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (I 24; US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Monteagle, TN to Jackson, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
60.5 mi in|~1h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 210.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 88.8 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.
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 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (I 24; US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Jackson, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
