Origin
Arlington, TN
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, 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
3h 37m
Distance
175 mi
282 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a trip from Arlington, TN, to Clarksville, TN, covers 175 miles and will take approximately 3 hours and 37 minutes of driving time. This route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a modest fuel cost estimated at $27. You'll primarily navigate on I-40, with segments of Austin Peay Memorial Highway and Main Street as you approach your destination. The drive offers a mixed experience, and with only one recommended stop, it's a straightforward journey within the Southeast region.
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
87.5 miles from Arlington, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 51.1 mi | 54m |
| Austin Peay Memorial Highway | 36.5 mi | 41m |
| Main Street | 29.8 mi | 36m |
| East Main Street | 16.4 mi | 24m |
| US 45E | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| Paris Bypass | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| US 45 Bypass | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Atwood Highway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 51.1 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on Walker Street
68 ft
·
3 sec
·
Walker Street
2
Continue on Forrest Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Forrest Street
3
Continue on Hickory Withe Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hickory Withe Road
4
Continue on SR 196
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 196
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Trenton
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto US 45 Bypass
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
US 45 Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 45E
13 mi
·
19 min
·
US 45E
10
Turn right onto US 70A; US 79
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Van Hook Street
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on US 70A; US 79
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Atwood Highway
12
Turn left onto US 70A; US 79
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Atwood Highway
13
Continue on US 70A; US 79
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
16 mi
·
24 min
·
East Main Street
15
Continue on US 79
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Austin Peay Memorial Highway
16
Turn right onto SR 218
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Paris Bypass
17
Turn right onto US 79; SR 218
24 mi
·
27 min
·
Austin Peay Memorial Highway
18
Continue on US 79
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Fort Donelson Parkway
19
Continue on US 79
0.6 mi
·
37 sec
·
Austin Peay Memorial Highway
20
Continue on US 79
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Lake Highway
21
Continue on US 79
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Donelson Parkway
22
Continue on US 79
28 mi
·
34 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Merge onto US 41A; US 79
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Fort Campbell Boulevard
24
Continue on US 41A; US 79
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Providence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 41A; US 79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2nd Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
For this 175-mile drive, leaving in the morning allows you to arrive in Clarksville with ample time for activities. The 3-hour and 37-minute duration means you can complete this trip comfortably in one day, with a fuel budget of around $27. Consider taking your single recommended stop midway to stretch your legs. Pay attention as you transition from I-40 to local roads, as this shift can affect your travel speed and navigation.
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 87.5 miles from Arlington, TN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.1 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.5 miles or 1h 50m 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 58m
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 Arlington, 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 Arlington, TN
This is one driving day of about 175 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Arlington, 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 51.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.5 miles from Arlington, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 81.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
54.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Trenton
5
54.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
US 45 Bypass
Merge onto US 45 Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
74.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
US 70A; US 79 / East Van Hook Street
Turn right onto US 70A; US 79 / East Van Hook Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
US 79 / East Main Street
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79 / East Main Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.36 one way
$54.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.04 | $60.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.68 | $67.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.64 | $77.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
| Efficient EV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.31 | $7.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70 | 0 | $24.50 | $11.20 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Afternoon in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
3:21 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
25 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 37m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 42% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 51.1 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace. As you transition off the interstate, expect the character of the drive to change, incorporating more local road segments like Austin Peay Memorial Highway and Main Street. This blend means you'll encounter both efficient highway travel and more varied driving conditions as you get closer to Clarksville.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 175 miles you will encounter 11 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 3.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.7 miles (US 45 Bypass): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Arlington, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
Trenton
54.6 mi in
|
~1h 2m
About the Cities
Arriving in Clarksville, TN
Full guide →Clarksville is the county seat of Montgomery County, in Central Tennessee. Founded in 1784, Clarksville is one of the south's most historic cities. Today, visitors can experience that history through memorable attractions, unique historic architecture and a variety of annual festivals and events. Steeped in history, Clarksville began as a settlement along the banks of the Cumberland and Red Rivers by Revolutionary War hero John Montgomery in the early 1780s. In 1785, Clarksville became Tennessee's first incorporated city.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 175 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.1 miles on I 40. 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 3.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.7 miles (US 45 Bypass): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Clarksville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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