Origin
Harriman, TN
Evening in Harriman on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
270.3 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harriman, TN
Kelly
Jackson, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Harriman to Jackson covers 270.3 miles across Tennessee, making for a straightforward trek that lasts approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes. Since this route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can easily complete it in a single day, leaving you plenty of time at your destination. Expect to spend about $41 on fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Because the trip is contained within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent atmosphere throughout the drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that works well if you need to reach Jackson efficiently without the need for an overnight stop.
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
135.2 miles from Harriman, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
With a 98% highway share, you should prepare for a drive dominated by interstate travel. The vast majority of your time—specifically 257.9 miles—will be spent on a single, uninterrupted stretch of I-40. While you will navigate bits of US 70 and the Downtown Loop at the start and finish, the personality of this trip is defined by the steady pace of the interstate. You can expect a consistent, high-speed experience that requires focus but offers very few technical road challenges. It is a classic highway grind that gets you from point A to point B with predictable efficiency.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 40.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 270.3 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 2.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Merge onto I 40 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Harriman, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.
Memphis
Louisville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 257.9 mi | 4h 39m |
| US 70 | 6 mi | 8m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| North Roane Street | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Harriman, TN and Jackson, TN.
Start on US 27
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Merge onto I 40
Continue on I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 70
Turn left onto US 70
Turn right onto East Main Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid potential congestion, especially when navigating the Downtown Loop. You only need to plan for one strategic stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which keeps your momentum steady over the nearly five-hour duration. Because the route is so heavily reliant on I-40, keep an eye on traffic reports for that specific corridor to avoid any unexpected delays. Given the $41 fuel budget, filling up your tank before you merge onto the main interstate stretch is a smart way to simplify your travel logistics. This route is flexible enough that you can easily tailor your pace to suit your personal comfort level.
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.
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 59 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.2 miles or 2h 25m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Harriman, 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 Harriman, TN
This is one driving day of about 270.3 miles and 4h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.2 mi from Harriman, TN · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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.
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 135.2 miles from Harriman, 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 257.9 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$42.26 one way
$84.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.40 | $92.80 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.02 | $104.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.68 | $119.36 |
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: 94.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.38 | $12.97 |
| Efficient EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.65 | $10.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.1 | 1 | $37.84 | $17.30 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Harriman on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Jackson on Wednesday
Local time
6:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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