Origin
Clarksville, TN
Evening in Clarksville on Thursday
Local time
5:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarksville, TN to Jackson, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
125.9 mi
203 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Jackson, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 125.9-mile drive from Clarksville, TN to Jackson, TN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-40, making it a highway-focused journey through the Southeast region. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, this drive offers an economical way to travel between these two Tennessee cities. You'll find one recommended stop along the way, and the majority of your travel will be on the interstate, offering a straightforward path. This trip is well-suited for those seeking a direct and efficient transit.
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
62.9 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 125.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 90% of the drive on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 76.3 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent travel. You'll begin on State Highway 48 and Center Avenue before merging onto I-40, which will be your main companion for most of the journey. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency and steady progress, rather than winding country roads or frequent town traversals.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 76.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and State Highway 48. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 39m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
33.3 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
SR 48 Alternate / Church Street
Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate / Church Street
Navigation decision point
5
42.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the ramp toward SR 48: Centerville
Navigation decision point
Exit 163
Toward SR 48: Centerville
5
119 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 76.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| State Highway 48 | 23.4 mi | 34m |
| Center Avenue | 9.1 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 13 | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| US 70 | 6 mi | 8m |
| South Riverside Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Cumberland Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 76.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
353 ft
·
11 sec
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A Bypass; SR 48
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Riverside Drive
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn straight onto TN 13; TN 48
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Drive
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on TN 13; TN 48
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 13
7
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 48
23 mi
·
34 min
·
State Highway 48
8
Turn left onto US 70 Business
332 ft
·
8 sec
·
West College Street
9
Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Church Street
10
Continue on SR 48 Alternate
9.1 mi
·
16 min
·
Center Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 163
Toward SR 48: Centerville
12
Merge onto I 40
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 40
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
Given the manageable 2-hour and 39-minute duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Jackson without feeling rushed. The estimated fuel cost of $20 is quite reasonable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. With only one recommended stop and the majority of the miles on I-40, your primary consideration will be timing your entry and exit from the interstate. Keep an eye on the mileage markers for I-40 to anticipate your arrival in Jackson.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.9 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.3 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 28 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.9 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
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 Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, TN
This is one driving day of about 125.9 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Clarksville, 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 76.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.9 mi from Clarksville, TN · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.9 miles from Clarksville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.3 miles.
Arriving in Jackson, TN
The final approach into Jackson, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Jackson, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.68 one way
$39.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.61 | $43.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.23 | $48.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.80 | $55.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.22 | $6.04 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.02 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.63 | $8.06 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Jackson, TN
Evening in Jackson on Thursday
Local time
5:06 PM
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
23 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
2h 39m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clarksville, TN to Jackson, TN covers 125.9 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, State Highway 48, Center Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.9 miles from Clarksville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 39m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Clarksville, TN to Jackson, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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