Drive Time
5h 49m
Distance
311.4 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
The drive from Jackson, TN to Athens, TN covers 311.4 miles and takes about 5h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Whitehall Street, I 840 East, Tennessee National Guard Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.23 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
155.7 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 49m drive with frequent turns across 311.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Whitehall Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 840 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 24 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 75 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SR 30 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Decatur Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Green Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Athens, TN.
Start on East Main Street
At the end of the road, turn left
Turn right onto Whitehall Street
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur
Turn right onto Decatur Pike
Continue on Green Street
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.7 miles or 2h 54m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 311.4 miles and 5h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.7 mi from Jackson, TN · 2h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 155.7 miles from Jackson, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Athens, 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 Athens, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$46.23 one way
$92.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $52.14 | $104.28 |
| premium | $4.65 | $57.06 | $114.11 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $65.03 | $130.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.4 | 1 | $32.70 | $14.95 |
| Efficient EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.25 | $12.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.6 | 1 | $43.60 | $19.93 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Athens on Saturday
Local time
7:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Franklin, TN
156 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
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.
Explore more options from Jackson, TN or browse trips ending in Athens, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
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