Spanning 286.6 miles across Tennessee, this trek from South Cleveland to Jackson is a substantial journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes of drive time. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it is best suited as a focused one-day trip. You should budget about $43 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Tennessee points. While the drive is manageable in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should be prepared for active steering and focused attention. It is a practical path if you prefer backroads over the monotony of high-speed transit, provided you have the stamina for a steady pace.
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
143.4 miles from South Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 286.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate slog, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a series of turn-heavy local roads, including Dalton Pike and 18th Street Southeast, which demand your full concentration. Because the longest stretch on any single road like 18th Street Southeast is 0 miles, you will be making frequent transitions between local thoroughfares. This creates a technical driving environment where the landscape shifts incrementally as you leave the Southeast region. Do not expect long, uninterrupted cruising; instead, anticipate a drive that requires constant engagement with the road layout.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
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 286.8 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Dalton Pk): Navigation decision point; at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Dalton Pk
Turn right onto Dalton Pk
Navigation decision point
6
5.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
24.1 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
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 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
136.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Cleveland, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Franklin.
Nashville
24.1 mi in|~30m
Chattanooga
24.8 mi in|~31m|via I 24
Franklin
136.7 mi in|~2h 37m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
111.9 mi
2h 6m
I 40
88.8 mi
1h 35m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
US 70
6 mi
8m
Appalachian Highway
4.6 mi
5m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Dalton Pike Southeast
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 111.9 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Cleveland, TN and Jackson, TN.
1
Start on this road
123 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right
38 ft·4 sec
3
Turn right onto 18th Street Southeast
142 ft·8 sec·18th Street Southeast
4
Turn right onto Dalton Pk
0.3 mi·27 sec·Dalton Pk
5
Continue on Dalton Pike Southeast
0.4 mi·45 sec·Dalton Pike Southeast
6
Turn right
0.1 mi·21 sec
7
Turn left onto King Street Southeast
233 ft·10 sec·King Street Southeast
8
Turn right onto US 74; US 64 Bypass
4.6 mi·5 min·Appalachian Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 24
112 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40
89 mi·1 hr 35 min·I 40
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
17
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·US 70
18
Turn left onto US 70
1.8 mi·2 min·US 70
19
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 4.5-hour drive comfortably, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid the fatigue of navigating local turns after dark. Given the layout, you should build in at least one designated stop to stretch and regroup, as the technical nature of the roads can be more taxing than standard highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimate assumes steady movement through local traffic patterns. Since the route is entirely comprised of local roads, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection transitions that occur more frequently than on major expressways. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so allow yourself extra time to adjust to the road conditions as you progress toward Jackson.
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 143.4 miles from South Cleveland, TN, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.4 miles or 2h 46m 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 25m
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 South Cleveland, 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 South Cleveland, TN
This is one driving day of about 286.8 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from South Cleveland, 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 24 for about 111.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143.4 mi from South Cleveland, TN
· 2h 46m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 138.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.84 one way
$89.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.23
$98.46
premium
$4.89
$55.19
$110.38
diesel
$5.61
$63.32
$126.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86
1
$30.11
$13.77
Efficient EV
71.7
0
$25.10
$11.47
EV Truck/SUV
114.7
1
$40.15
$18.36
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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
South Cleveland, TN
Late night
in South Cleveland on Saturday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, TN
Late night
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
2:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
27 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
5h 23m 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 South Cleveland, TN to Jackson, TN covers 286.8 miles and takes about 5h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143.4 miles from South Cleveland, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.84 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 286.8 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Dalton Pk): Navigation decision point; at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between South Cleveland, TN and Jackson, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Franklin.
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.
