Origin
Bells, TN
Night in Bells on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
124.4 mi
200 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bells, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Bells, TN to Clarksville, TN is 124.4 miles and takes about 2h 42m via Austin Peay Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and navigating local roads. With a drive time under three hours and a modest fuel cost, this is a straightforward, same-day journey perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without a significant time commitment.
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
62.2 miles from Bells, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay Memorial Highway | 37.4 mi | 42m |
| Main Street | 29.8 mi | 36m |
| East Main Street | 16.4 mi | 24m |
| High Street | 13 mi | 19m |
| Paris Bypass | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| West Van Hook Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Atwood Highway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Gibson Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bells, TN and Clarksville, TN.
Start on US 70A; US 79; SR 88
Turn left onto US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Turn left onto US 70A; US 79
Continue on US 70A; US 79
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
Continue on US 79
Turn right onto SR 218
Turn right onto US 79; SR 218
Continue on US 79
Continue on US 79
Continue on US 79
Continue on US 79
Continue on US 79
Merge onto US 41A; US 79
Continue on US 41A; US 79
Continue on US 41A; US 79
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 42m estimated drive time and the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, it's best to plan for an early departure to avoid potential midday traffic congestion on local streets. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 124.4 miles, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. The $19 fuel cost is quite reasonable, so you won't need to worry extensively about finding gas stations, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Bells, TN. Pay close attention to your navigation, especially on Main Street and East Main Street, as the route is described as turn-heavy.
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.
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 27 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.2 miles or 1h 27m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bells, 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 Bells, TN
This is one driving day of about 124.4 miles and 2h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 13 and 66.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 70A; US 79 / Eastend Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 70A; US 79 / Atwood Highway
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79 / East Main Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto SR 218 / Paris Bypass
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 79; SR 218 / Austin Peay Memorial Highway
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$19.45 one way
$38.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.35 | $42.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.94 | $47.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.47 | $54.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
| Efficient EV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.89 | $4.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.42 | $7.96 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Bells on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Clarksville on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
77°F
Paris, TN
62 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This road trip is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with a highway share of 100%, meaning you'll likely be on local roads for the majority of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37.4 miles along Austin Peay Memorial Highway. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires attention to navigation due to frequent changes in direction. While it's not a high-speed interstate cruise, the consistent presence of Main Street and East Main Street suggests a route that passes through populated areas, so expect typical local traffic.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 13 miles in near US 70A; US 79 / Eastend Drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 42m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13 miles (US 70A; US 79 / Eastend Drive): Navigation decision point; at 28.3 miles (US 70A; US 79 / Atwood Highway): Navigation decision point; at 30.7 miles (US 79 / East Main Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 124.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Bells, TN or browse trips ending in Clarksville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.