Apison, TN to Clarksville, TN is 199.2 miles and takes about 3h 55m via I-24 and I-75, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily sticks to major highways, making it a straightforward trip across Tennessee. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience as you traverse the Southeast region. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal for travelers seeking efficiency and a direct path between these two points. Plan for a journey that prioritizes getting you there quickly and without much deviation.
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
99.6 miles from Apison, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
173 mi
3h 14m
I 75
6.9 mi
9m
Apison Pike
6.5 mi
11m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
TN 76
3.4 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.3 mi
3m
University Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
College Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 173 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apison, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on SR 317
6.5 mi·11 min·Apison Pike
2
Continue on SR 317
0.3 mi·42 sec·Volkswagen Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
4
Merge onto I 75; US 11; US 64; SR 317
6.9 mi·9 min·I 75; US 11; US 64; SR 317
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 24
134 mi·2 hr 31 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.2 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 52AToward I 24West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 24
2.1 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 46AToward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 24
34 mi·36 min·I 24
Exit 88Toward I 24 West: ClarksvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward TN 76
13
Keep slight left at fork
283 ft·9 sec
14
Continue on TN 76
3.4 mi·3 min·TN 76
15
Turn right onto US 41A
4.7 mi·8 min·Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 41A
0.4 mi·44 sec·University Avenue
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
0.3 mi·45 sec·College Street
18
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 55-minute duration, this route is comfortably a one-day drive, allowing for a flexible departure time. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 173-mile stretch on I-24, as services might be less frequent than on local roads. Consider packing snacks and drinks to minimize the need for stops, though there is one recommended stop built into this trip's planning. The highway-focused nature means planning your fuel and rest breaks around exits will be key to a smooth journey.
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 99.6 miles from Apison, TN, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173 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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.6 miles or 1h 58m 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 Clarksville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Apison, 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 Apison, TN
This is one driving day of about 199.2 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Apison, 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 173 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 14 and 193.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14 mi into trip|~22m 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
9
149.2 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
151.4 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
156.1 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
193.8 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
$31.14 one way
$62.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.19
$68.39
premium
$4.89
$38.33
$76.67
diesel
$5.61
$43.98
$87.96
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: 69.7 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
59.8
0
$20.92
$9.56
Efficient EV
49.8
0
$17.43
$7.97
EV Truck/SUV
79.7
0
$27.89
$12.75
Gas CO2
70 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 18, 2026
Origin
Apison, TN
Late night
in Apison on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Late night
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
30 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
3h 55m 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 123.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway driving, with a 92% share on major interstates. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I-24, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 173 miles. The profile is decidedly highway-focused, meaning you can expect consistent speeds and limited opportunities for spontaneous stops off the main thoroughfare. While Apison Pike serves as your initial connector, the majority of the journey will be on the fast-paced interstate system, offering a direct and efficient transit.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 199.2 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 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.4 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.
Between Apison, TN and Clarksville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Louisville.
Nashville
14 mi in|~22m
Chattanooga
14.7 mi in|~23m|via I 24
Louisville
151.4 mi in|~2h 57m|via I 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 199.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.4 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Clarksville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
