Origin
East Brainerd, TN
Evening in East Brainerd on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Brainerd, TN to Jackson, TN
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
267.3 mi
430 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Brainerd, TN
Kelly
Jackson, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from East Brainerd to Jackson covers 267.3 miles across the state of Tennessee, typically requiring about 5 hours and 1 minute of driving time. Because this journey is entirely within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent landscape as you transition from the eastern side of the state toward the west. It is a straightforward trip that fits comfortably into a single day, making it an efficient choice for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $41 for fuel to complete the transit. While the drive is manageable for most, having a clear plan for your single planned stop will help keep the momentum steady.
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
133.6 miles from East Brainerd, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 98% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-24, I-40, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 111.9-mile stretch on I-24, where you can settle into a steady pace for an extended period. Because the route relies almost exclusively on major interstates, it offers a predictable and fast-moving environment rather than a winding backroad tour. You will find that the road remains consistent throughout, allowing you to focus on the miles ahead without the interruption of frequent technical turns.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 267.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
117.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
118 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
171.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
260.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from East Brainerd, TN to Jackson, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
117.1 mi in
|
~2h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 111.9 mi | 2h 6m |
| I 40 | 88.8 mi | 1h 35m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 53.7 mi | 58m |
| US 70 | 6 mi | 8m |
| East Brainerd Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| I 75 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Graysville Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 111.9 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Brainerd, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on Iris Drive
479 ft
·
28 sec
·
Iris Drive
2
Turn left onto Graysville Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Graysville Road
3
Turn left onto SR 320
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Brainerd Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Merge onto I 75
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 24
112 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 840
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 40
89 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
12
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
US 70
13
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70
14
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
15
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this five-hour trek, aim to leave early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic congestion near major metropolitan hubs along the interstates. Since you only have one planned stop, use that time strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the remaining distance. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $41, so check your tank levels before merging onto the longer interstate sections. Given the 98% highway share, stay alert during the long 111.9-mile stretch on I-24 to maintain focus behind the wheel. The flexibility of this single-day trip means you can easily adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule, provided you account for the total duration of 5 hours and 1 minute.
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 133.6 miles from East Brainerd, TN, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.6 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 7m
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 East Brainerd, 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 East Brainerd, TN
This is one driving day of about 267.3 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from East Brainerd, 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 24 for about 111.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.6 mi from East Brainerd, TN · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.6 miles from East Brainerd, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.9 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.60 one way
$81.20 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.76 | $89.51 |
| premium | $4.80 | $50.46 | $100.92 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.38 | $118.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.2 | 0 | $28.07 | $12.83 |
| Efficient EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.39 | $10.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.9 | 1 | $37.42 | $17.11 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Sunday
Local time
5:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
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 1m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from East Brainerd, TN to Jackson, TN covers 267.3 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.6 miles from East Brainerd, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.60 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 267.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from East Brainerd, TN to Jackson, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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