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Trip from Harriman, TN to Jackson, TN

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 43m ★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Harriman, TN, TN

Harriman, TN

Kelly

city in and county seat of Madison County, Tennessee, United States

Jackson, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 257.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 8/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
2.7 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
137.1 mi into trip | ~2h 28m 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
139.3 mi into trip | ~2h 31m 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
139.7 mi into trip | ~2h 32m 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
142.6 mi into trip | ~2h 36m 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 Harriman, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.

Memphis

139.3 mi in | ~2h 31m | via I 40

Louisville

140.4 mi in | ~2h 32m | via I 40

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 40 — 257.9 mi, about 4h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Harriman, TN and Jackson, TN.

1

Start on US 27

2.5 mi · 2 min · North Roane Street
2

Turn left

0.2 mi · 25 sec
3

Merge onto I 40

134 mi · 2 hr 24 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 3 min · I 40
Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

0.4 mi · 42 sec · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto I 40

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 40

2.3 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
Exit 210A Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

121 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
10

Turn left onto US 70

4.2 mi · 6 min · US 70
11

Turn left onto US 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 70
12

Turn right onto East Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
13

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 135.2 miles from Harriman, TN, or about 2h 25m 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Harriman, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 135.2 mi from Harriman, TN · 2h 25m into the drive

capital and largest city of Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nashville, TN

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Sparta, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nashville, TN

Meal break

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 check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 257.9 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

$42.26 one way

$84.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Harriman, TN

Evening in Harriman on Wednesday

Local time

7:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jackson, TN

Evening in Jackson on Wednesday

Local time

6:03 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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

30 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

4h 56m 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 Harriman, TN to Jackson, TN covers 270.3 miles and takes about 4h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 70, Downtown Loop. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.2 miles from Harriman, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.26 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 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.
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.
Between Harriman, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Memphis and Louisville.

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