Trip from Jackson, TN to Alcoa, TN

Drive Time

5h 45m

Distance

310.4 mi

500 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 32m ★

6 AM

5h 45m

8 AM

6h 12m

10 AM

5h 55m

12 PM

5h 52m

3 PM

5h 56m

5 PM

6h 10m

8 PM

5h 37m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Jackson, TN

Kelly

Alcoa, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 310.4 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Jackson to Alcoa takes approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is focused heavily on interstate travel, you can comfortably complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $47 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a cross-state trip. You will primarily utilize I-40 to navigate between the two regions, eventually transitioning to the Pellissippi Parkway and Whitehall Street as you approach your destination. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a straightforward path that keeps you on major transit arteries for the majority of your time behind the wheel.

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

155.2 miles from Jackson, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

With 96% of the trip consisting of highway driving, this route is defined by consistent, high-speed interstate travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a massive 285.5-mile uninterrupted stretch of the journey. The experience is primarily a highway-focused drive, offering a predictable rhythm as you cross the state. While the initial leg is dominated by the long interstate haul, the final approach becomes more localized once you exit onto the Pellissippi Parkway. It is a functional and efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or winding backroads.

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

There are about 21 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 285.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Pellissippi Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 310.4 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 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 295.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

127.3 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...

130.5 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...

295.5 mi into trip | ~5h 23m in

Take the exit toward I 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ridge, Maryville

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 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ri...

295.7 mi into trip | ~5h 24m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 140 East: Maryville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 376B Toward I 140 East: Maryville

306.6 mi into trip | ~5h 37m in

Take the exit toward US 129 South: Alcoa, Maryville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 11A Toward US 129 South: Alcoa, Maryville

Towns Along This Route

Between Jackson, TN and Alcoa, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

Huntsville

127.3 mi in | ~2h 19m

Louisville

130 mi in | ~2h 23m | via I 40

Knoxville

130 mi in | ~2h 23m | via I 40

Chattanooga

130 mi in | ~2h 23m | via I 40

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	285.5 mi	5h 9m
Pellissippi Parkway	10.7 mi	12m
Whitehall Street	4 mi	6m
Downtown Loop	2.9 mi	4m
North Wright Road	2.1 mi	5m
US 70	1.8 mi	2m
Alcoa Highway	0.9 mi	1m
East Main Street	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 285.5 mi, about 5h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on East Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 70

Turn right onto US 70

4.0 mi · 6 min · Whitehall Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 40

121 mi · 2 hr 9 min · I 40

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40; I 65

2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Downtown Loop

Exit 211B; 211A Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

165 mi · 2 hr 59 min · I 40

Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ridge, Maryville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 376B Toward I 140 East: Maryville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 140

11 mi · 12 min · Pellissippi Parkway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Exit 11A Toward US 129 South: Alcoa, Maryville

Merge onto US 129; TN 115

0.9 mi · 1 min · Alcoa Highway

Take the exit

332 ft · 10 sec

Turn left onto North Wright Road

2.1 mi · 5 min · North Wright Road

At end of road, turn right onto East Edison Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · East Edison Street

At end of road, turn left onto Springbrook Road

94 ft · 3 sec · Springbrook Road

Turn left onto Springbrook Road

115 ft · 5 sec · Springbrook Road

Continue on Springbrook Road

40 ft · 1 sec · Springbrook Road

Arrive at destination

Springbrook Road

Trip Plan

To keep your energy high, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 5-hour and 45-minute trek. Since the longest stretch covers 285.5 miles, consider refueling early in the trip to avoid being caught low on gas while deep into the I-40 corridor. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion near major urban centers along the interstate. Given the high highway percentage, keep a close watch on your cruise control settings and stay alert during the long, repetitive stretches of road. Because the trip is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon traffic.

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 155.2 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 2h 50m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 285.5 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 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 155.2 miles or 2h 50m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alcoa, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, TN

This is one driving day of about 310.4 miles and 5h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jackson, 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 285.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 155.2 mi from Jackson, TN · 2h 50m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hendersonville, TN

155 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.

Popular next leg

Hendersonville, TN to Alcoa, TN

185.1 mi · 3h 34m

Pacing Suggestions

Franklin, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.2 miles from Jackson, 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 285.5 miles.

Arriving in Alcoa, TN

The final approach into Alcoa, 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 Alcoa, 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

$47.15 one way

$94.29 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$51.97	$103.95
premium	$4.80	$58.60	$117.19
diesel	$5.64	$68.96	$137.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	93.1	1	$32.59	$14.90
Efficient EV	77.6	0	$27.16	$12.42
EV Truck/SUV	124.2	1	$43.46	$19.87

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Jackson, TN

Evening in Jackson on Sunday

Local time

7:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alcoa, TN

Evening in Alcoa on Sunday

Local time

8:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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 later

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

Temperature spread

1 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

5h 45m 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 Jackson, TN to Alcoa, TN covers 310.4 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, Pellissippi Parkway, Whitehall Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 155.2 miles from Jackson, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.15 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.

Between Jackson, TN and Alcoa, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

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Return Trip

Alcoa, TN to Jackson, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

311.2 mi 4h 40m

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Trip from Jackson, TN to Alcoa, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Alcoa, TN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Jackson, TN

Alcoa, TN

1 hour later

1 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 45m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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