The drive from Elizabethton, TN to Jackson, TN covers 422 miles and takes about 7h 49m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 331.1 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.97 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
211 miles from Elizabethton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 49m. Total distance: 422 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 49m highway drive covering 422 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 331.1 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 331.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,891 ft410 ft
Total Climb
1,751 ft
Total Descent
2,868 ft
Highest Point
1,891 ft
~180.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,481 ft
Notable High Points
1,891 ft at ~180.8 miles+840 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Riverside Drive.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 422 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 0.1 miles (North Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 133.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Riverside Drive
Turn right onto North Riverside Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
133.9 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
288.8 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
290.9 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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
294.3 mi into trip|~5h 29m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elizabethton, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
133.9 mi in|~2h 34m|via I 40
Memphis
290.9 mi in|~5h 24m|via I 40
Louisville
292 mi in|~5h 26m|via I 40
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
331.1 mi
6h
I 81
57.1 mi
1h 1m
James H. Quillen Parkway
15.1 mi
18m
West Elk Avenue
7.4 mi
12m
US 70
6 mi
8m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Broad Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 331.1 mi, about 6h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethton, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on this road
32 ft·1 sec·this road
2
Continue on East Elk Avenue
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Elk Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Riverside Drive
286 ft·12 sec·North Riverside Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on East E Street
445 ft·23 sec·East E Street
5
Turn right onto North Sycamore Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·North Sycamore Street
6
Turn left onto US 321; SR 67
0.6 mi·1 min·Broad Street
7
Continue on US 321; SR 67
7.4 mi·12 min·West Elk Avenue
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
9
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
15 mi·18 min·James H. Quillen Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 8AToward I 81 South: Knoxville
11
Merge onto I 81
56 mi·1 hr·I 81
12
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
13
Merge onto I 40
53 mi·59 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
21
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·US 70
22
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
23
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 211 miles from Elizabethton, TN, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 331.1 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 93 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 211 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 42m
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 Elizabethton, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elizabethton, TN
This is one driving day of about 422 miles and 7h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Elizabethton, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 331.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 211 mi from Elizabethton, TN
· 3h 57m into the drive
The midpoint is around 211 miles from Elizabethton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 331.1 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.
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 276.5
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 87.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.97 one way
$131.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg148 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$72.44
$144.88
premium
$4.89
$81.21
$162.42
diesel
$5.61
$93.17
$186.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
126.6
1
$44.31
$20.26
Efficient EV
105.5
1
$36.93
$16.88
EV Truck/SUV
168.8
2
$59.08
$27.01
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
49 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Elizabethton, TN
Morning
in Elizabethton on Friday
Local time
8:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, TN
Morning
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
7:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Sparta, TN
211 mi in
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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 49m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Elizabethton, TN to Jackson, TN covers 422 miles and takes about 7h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, James H. Quillen 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 211 miles from Elizabethton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 422 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 133.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elizabethton, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 410 ft to 1,891 ft elevation with about 1,751 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Elevation is sampled from
USGS 3DEP.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
