Origin
Altamont, TN
Night in Altamont on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altamont, TN to Clarksville, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
143.3 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altamont, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 143.3 miles, this drive from Altamont to Clarksville typically takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily tackle this entire journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily through Tennessee's southeastern landscape, utilizing a combination of Pelham Road, Elkhead Road, and a significant stretch of I-24. Budgeting approximately $22 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an efficient trip for those moving between these two parts of the state. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a visit, the route is straightforward and well-suited for a quick, one-day excursion.
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
71.7 miles from Altamont, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 114.2 mi | 2h 4m |
| Pelham Road | 10 mi | 17m |
| Elkhead Road | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| Madison Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| TN 76 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| SR 50 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| University Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 114.2 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altamont, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on Cumberland Street
182 ft
·
10 sec
·
Cumberland Street
2
Turn right onto Pelham Road
195 ft
·
15 sec
·
Pelham Road
3
Turn left onto SR 56; SR 108
26 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto SR 50; SR 108
9.9 mi
·
17 min
·
Pelham Road
5
Continue on SR 50
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Elkhead Road
6
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 50
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
SR 50
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
8
Merge onto I 24
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 24
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24
Exit 46A
Toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I 24
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 24
Exit 88
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward TN 76
15
Keep slight left at fork
283 ft
·
9 sec
16
Continue on TN 76
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
TN 76
17
Turn right onto US 41A
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto US 41A
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
University Avenue
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
College Street
20
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 143.3-mile distance, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the drive. Since the vast majority of your time is spent on I-24, keep an eye on real-time traffic reports, as major interstates can experience unexpected congestion. Try to time your departure to avoid peak rush hour periods if you prefer a smoother, more predictable pace. Fill up your tank before hitting the interstate to make the most of your $22 fuel budget. If you find the interstate monotony tiring, use your single planned stop as a strategic chance to stretch your legs away from the highway traffic.
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 71.7 miles from Altamont, TN, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.2 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 32 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.7 miles or 1h 29m 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 21m
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 Altamont, 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 Altamont, TN
This is one driving day of about 143.3 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Altamont, 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 114.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.7 miles from Altamont, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 137.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street
Turn left onto SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
9
93.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
95.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
7
100.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
I 24
Take the exit onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 88
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville
6
137.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
US 41A / Madison Street
Turn right onto US 41A / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.40 one way
$44.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.60 | $49.20 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.58 | $55.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.64 | $63.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.05 | $6.88 |
| Efficient EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.54 | $5.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.06 | $9.17 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Night in Clarksville on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 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
2h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 69.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 84% of your travel taking place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on a long, 114.2-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-24, which dictates the pace of the drive. While the initial segments involve local roads like Pelham and Elkhead, the character of the journey shifts quickly once you merge onto the interstate. Expect a consistent, fast-paced driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads. It is a functional, direct route that allows you to cover significant distance quickly as you transition toward your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.2 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Pelham Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 143.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 93.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Altamont, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
95.4 mi in
|
~1h 55m
|
via I 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 143.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.2 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Clarksville, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 56; SR 108 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 93.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clarksville, TN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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