How far is Jackson, TN from Athens, TN?
The driving distance from Jackson, TN to Athens, TN is about 311.4 miles (501.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 237.6 miles (382.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 49m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Tennessee.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jackson and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson and Athens.
-
1
Start on East Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East Main Street
-
2
At the end of the road, turn left
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
3
Turn right onto Whitehall Street
4 mi · 6 min · Whitehall Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right
1308 ft · 32 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
89.2 mi · 1 hr 36 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
1.1 km · 1 min
-
7
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi · 56 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
1.3 km · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight left
110 mi · 2 hr 4 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
1.4 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left
46.6 mi · 52 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur
1574 ft · 29 sec
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13
Turn right onto Decatur Pike
3.2 mi · 5 min · Decatur Pike
-
14
Continue on Green Street
2926 ft · 53 sec · Green Street
-
15
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
766 ft · 15 sec · Washington Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jackson and Athens.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 24 East
Merge slight left
110 mi · 02h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Jackson and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jackson to Athens?
The road trip is about 311.4 miles (501.2 km) and usually takes 05h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Murfreesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.6 miles from Jackson and 155.8 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 237.6 miles (382.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.44 one way or $82.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Jackson and Athens, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Jackson and Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Murfreesboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Murfreesboro.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jackson and Athens. Straight-line distance: 237.62 mi (382.42 km).
#1 Jackson
The most populous city in Madison County, Tennessee.
| Population | 67,402 |
| Coordinates | 35.6145200, -88.8139500 |
| Altitude | 125 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
Town in Tennessee, United States
| Population | 14,120 |
| Coordinates | 35.4428500, -84.5929900 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-84.59299, 35.44285)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.44 | $82.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.74 | $93.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.15 | $102.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.29 | $116.58 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Tennessee · Apr 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.