If you are traveling from Jackson to Clarksville, expect a 124-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Southeast region of Tennessee, making it a straightforward trip that is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to complete the drive. Because this trip is relatively short, you do not need to worry about planning an overnight split. It serves as a practical connection between these two cities, offering a direct path for those looking to move across the state efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 126 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Forget about cruising down a monotonous interstate, as this path is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. You will navigate via Airways Boulevard, East Van Hook Street, and Atwood Highway rather than relying on major high-speed corridors. With a highway share of 0%, the route relies exclusively on local roads, meaning there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of open highway to zone out on. Be prepared for a more active driving experience where the road surface and turns change frequently throughout the 124-mile journey. This is a hands-on drive that keeps you engaged with the local landscape from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 76.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and North Main Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 83 miles in.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Jackson, TN to Clarksville, TN is easy. At 2h 38m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 83 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles (SR 48): Navigation decision point; at 92.6 miles (US 70 Business / West College Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
83 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward SR 48: Centerville, Dickson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 163
Toward SR 48: Centerville, Dickson
4
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|SR 48
Turn left onto SR 48
Navigation decision point
4
92.6 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|US 70 Business / West College Street
Turn left onto US 70 Business / West College Street
Navigation decision point
6
124.2 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive
Turn left onto US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
125.9 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|North 2nd Street
Turn right onto North 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Jackson, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Dickson along the way.
Dickson
83 mi in|~1h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
76.3 mi
1h 21m
North Main Street
23.4 mi
33m
SR 48
9.3 mi
16m
State Highway 13
7.6 mi
11m
Whitehall Street
4 mi
6m
US 70
1.8 mi
2m
South Riverside Drive
1.5 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 76.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
3
Turn right onto US 70
4.0 mi·6 min·Whitehall Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
76 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 40
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 163Toward SR 48: Centerville, Dickson
7
Turn left onto SR 48
9.3 mi·16 min·SR 48
8
Turn left onto US 70 Business
332 ft·8 sec·West College Street
9
Turn right onto SR 48
23 mi·33 min·North Main Street
10
Continue on TN 13; TN 48
7.6 mi·11 min·State Highway 13
11
Continue on TN 13; TN 48
0.5 mi·1 min·Cumberland Drive
12
Turn left onto US 41A Bypass; SR 48
1.5 mi·2 min·South Riverside Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto SR 48
0.2 mi·28 sec·College Street
14
Turn right onto North 2nd Street
134 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
15
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 17-minute drive without any mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. You can easily depart in the morning or afternoon without worrying about losing daylight to long-distance travel. Because the route is entirely local, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Jackson, as you will not be hitting major interstate service plazas along the way. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of Atwood Highway and other local roads can be more fatiguing than a straight highway shot, so pace yourself accordingly. One specific tip for this route: since you are navigating local streets, keep your GPS updated to handle the frequent turns and ensure you stay on the correct path through the various transitions between Airways Boulevard and East Van Hook Street.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.3 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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksville, 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 126 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 76.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63 mi from Jackson, TN
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.70 one way
$39.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.63
$43.26
premium
$4.89
$24.25
$48.50
diesel
$5.61
$27.82
$55.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.8
0
$13.23
$6.05
Efficient EV
31.5
0
$11.02
$5.04
EV Truck/SUV
50.4
0
$17.64
$8.06
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Jackson, TN
Morning
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
7:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Morning
in Clarksville on Friday
Local time
7:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph12% chanceLive 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 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
2h 38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Clarksville, TN covers 126 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, North Main Street, SR 48. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63 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 $19.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Jackson, TN to Clarksville, TN is easy. At 2h 38m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 83 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles (SR 48): Navigation decision point; at 92.6 miles (US 70 Business / West College Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Jackson, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Dickson along the way.
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.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
