Traveling from Oliver Springs to Jackson covers 285.4 miles of Tennessee landscape, typically taking about 5 hours and 14 minutes to complete. Because this journey is entirely contained within the Southeast, you will find a consistent regional feel as you traverse the state. With a direct highway-focused profile, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to cover the distance. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of scenery, the route is straightforward enough that you won't need to worry about an overnight split.
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
142.7 miles from Oliver Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
257.9 mi
4h 39m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
US 70
6 mi
8m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Hannah Highway
2.1 mi
2m
East Tri County Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 257.9 mi, about 4h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oliver Springs, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on Winter Gap Road
0.2 mi·41 sec·Winter Gap Road
2
Turn left onto SR 61
1.2 mi·1 min·East Tri County Boulevard
3
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
4
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
5
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
6
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
7
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
8
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
9
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use 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 keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5-hour trek. Since the longest stretch spans nearly 258 miles on I-40, you should check your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to ensure you aren't forced to stop at inconvenient intervals. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion on the main highway corridors. Because this route is highly efficient, you have the flexibility to make your stop whenever you feel a dip in energy. Keep an eye on your mileage against your fuel budget of $43 to ensure you stay on track throughout the 285.4-mile trip.
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 142.7 miles from Oliver Springs, TN, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 257.9 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 63 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.7 miles or 2h 35m 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 16m
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 Oliver Springs, 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 Oliver Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 285.4 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Oliver Springs, 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 257.9 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 17.8 and 157.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.8 mi into trip|~21m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
152.2 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
154.4 mi into trip|~2h 49m 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
5
154.8 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|I 40 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 40 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
157.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
$42.15 one way
$84.29 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.53
$93.06
premium
$4.72
$52.99
$105.98
diesel
$4.80
$53.89
$107.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.6
1
$29.97
$13.70
Efficient EV
71.4
0
$24.97
$11.42
EV Truck/SUV
114.2
1
$39.96
$18.27
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Oliver Springs, TN
Afternoon
in Oliver Springs on Sunday
Local time
1:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
0 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:23PM CDT until July 17 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Jackson, TN
Afternoon
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
12:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:23PM CDT until July 17 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
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 14m 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 137.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed transit experience, as 92% of this route relies on major highways including I-40, Harriman Highway, and US 70. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a single 257.9-mile stretch along I-40, which defines the character of the drive as a purposeful interstate run. While you start by navigating local connections, the transition to the main artery is quick and keeps the pace steady. This isn't a technical, winding backroad journey; it is a utilitarian drive designed to get you from point A to point B with maximum efficiency.
92% 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: 257.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.8 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 10 significant decision points across 285.4 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 17.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,033 ft402 ft
Total Climb
1,829 ft
Total Descent
2,213 ft
Highest Point
2,033 ft
~61.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,631 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oliver Springs, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward 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 14m. Total distance: 285.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 257.9 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.4 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
