The drive from Red Boiling Springs, TN to Jackson, TN covers 198 miles and takes about 3h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Lafayette Road, US 31E for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 120.4 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.96 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
99 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 198 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 53m highway drive covering 198 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Lafayette Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 120.4 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 17 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 120.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Lafayette Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near SR 52 / Lafayette Road.
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 198 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.2 miles (SR 52 / Lafayette Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 52 / Lafayette Road
Turn right onto SR 52 / Lafayette Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
59.4 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|I 65
Take the exit onto I 65 toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
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 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
5
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge onto I 65 / Downtown Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
70.1 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 84B
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.
On the drive from Red Boiling Springs, TN to Jackson, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
68.1 mi in|~1h 29m|via I 65
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
120.4 mi
2h 9m
Lafayette Road
23.7 mi
35m
US 31E
16.9 mi
21m
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
15.1 mi
17m
I 65
9 mi
10m
US 70
6 mi
8m
Long Hollow Pike
2 mi
2m
Downtown Loop
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 120.4 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Boiling Springs, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on SR 56
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto SR 52
24 mi·35 min·Lafayette Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 31E; US 231
17 mi·21 min·US 31E; US 231
4
Continue on US 31E
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Broadway
5
Turn right onto TN 25
0.4 mi·31 sec·Red River Road
6
Turn straight onto SR 174
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Hollow Pike
7
Continue on TN 386
15 mi·17 min·Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 65
8.7 mi·10 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 65
0.3 mi·32 sec·I 65
Toward I 65 South: Huntisville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 65
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Exit 84BToward I 40 West: Memphis
12
Merge onto I 40
120 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
14
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·US 70
15
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
16
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
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 99 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.4 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 44 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
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 Red Boiling Springs, 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 Red Boiling Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 198 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Red Boiling Springs, 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 120.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99 mi from Red Boiling Springs, TN
· 2h 3m 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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 68.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.96 one way
$61.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.99
$67.97
premium
$4.89
$38.10
$76.21
diesel
$5.61
$43.72
$87.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
Efficient EV
49.5
0
$17.33
$7.92
EV Truck/SUV
79.2
0
$27.72
$12.67
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Red Boiling Springs, TN
Afternoon
in Red Boiling Springs on Friday
Local time
12:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, TN
Afternoon
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
12:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 to 10 mph51% 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
9 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
3h 53m 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 Red Boiling Springs, TN to Jackson, TN covers 198 miles and takes about 3h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Lafayette Road, US 31E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99 miles from Red Boiling Springs, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.96 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 198 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.2 miles (SR 52 / Lafayette Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Red Boiling Springs, TN to Jackson, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
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.
