The drive from Jackson, TN to Jellico, TN covers 318.6 miles and takes about 6h 23m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Clarkrange Highway, I 75 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 210.1 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.81 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
159.3 miles from Jackson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 318.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 23m highway drive covering 318.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Clarkrange Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 210.1 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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 210.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Clarkrange Highway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 318.6 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.6 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
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...
5
127.6 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
130 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 40 / Downtown Loop
Continue onto I 40 / Downtown Loop toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksv...
9
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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jackson, TN and Jellico, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
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
Primary Sr 84: Monterey
220.1 mi in|~4h 1m
Livingston
220.1 mi in|~4h 1m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
210.1 mi
3h 47m
Clarkrange Highway
21.7 mi
32m
I 75
16.1 mi
17m
Howard H Baker Highway
15.8 mi
24m
Scott Highway
10.1 mi
14m
Nashville Highway
9.7 mi
13m
Deer Lodge Highway
9.5 mi
16m
Morgan County Highway
5.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 210.1 mi, about 3h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, TN and Jellico, 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
121 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 70N, Primary SR 84: Monterey, Livingston
11
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
0.6 mi·59 sec·South Holly Street
12
Turn right onto SR 62
1.4 mi·2 min·East Commercial Avenue
13
Turn straight onto SR 62
22 mi·32 min·Clarkrange Highway
14
Continue on SR 62
9.7 mi·13 min·Nashville Highway
15
Continue on SR 329
2.6 mi·4 min·Deer Lodge Highway
16
Turn right onto SR 329
0.2 mi·20 sec·Irving Street
17
Continue on SR 329
6.9 mi·12 min·Deer Lodge Highway
18
Turn left onto US 27
5.3 mi·6 min·Morgan County Highway
19
Continue on US 27
4.0 mi·4 min·Scott Highway
20
Continue on US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·Lon Foust Highway
21
Continue on US 27
6.1 mi·9 min·Scott Highway
22
Turn right onto SR 63; SR 297
16 mi·24 min·Howard H Baker Highway
23
Continue on SR 63
2.0 mi·3 min·Howard H. Baker Highway
24
Turn left onto Stinking Creek Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Stinking Creek Road
25
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Louisville
26
Merge onto I 75
16 mi·17 min·I 75
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward US 25W: Jellico
28
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·16 sec
29
Turn straight onto US 25W
1.1 mi·1 min·5th Street
30
Turn right onto US 25W
68 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 25W
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.3 miles from Jackson, TN, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.1 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 70 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.3 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jellico, 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 318.6 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 210.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 159.3 mi from Jackson, TN
· 2h 55m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 142.8
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 318.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.81 one way
$99.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$54.69
$109.38
premium
$4.89
$61.31
$122.62
diesel
$5.61
$70.34
$140.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.6
1
$33.45
$15.29
Efficient EV
79.7
0
$27.88
$12.74
EV Truck/SUV
127.4
1
$44.60
$20.39
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jackson, TN
Morning
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
8:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jellico, TN
Morning
in Jellico on Friday
Local time
9:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Sparta, TN
159 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
28 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
6h 23m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Jellico, TN covers 318.6 miles and takes about 6h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Clarkrange Highway, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 159.3 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 $49.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 318.6 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.6 miles (I 40; I 65 / Downtown Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Jackson, TN and Jellico, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
