Origin
Central, TN
Late night in Central on Sunday
Local time
12:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Central, 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
6h 13m
Distance
332.8 mi
536 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 1m
★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Central, TN
Diego Girón
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Central, TN to Clarksville, TN? This 332.8-mile journey clocks in at about 6 hours and 13 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily be on interstates, with 96% of the drive utilizing major highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $52, this route focuses on efficient travel across the Southeast region. The profile is a highway-focused drive, so expect a straightforward path. While one stop is factored in, you can adjust this based on your pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
166.4 miles from Central, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 209.8 mi | 3h 49m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 24 | 36.4 mi | 40m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14.3 mi | 17m |
| Madison Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| TN 76 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 209.8 mi, about 3h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on SR 91
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Elizabethton Highway
2
Continue on SR 91
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Main Street
3
Turn straight
234 ft
·
10 sec
4
Turn right onto SR 91
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Legion Street
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
6
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
14 mi
·
17 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
8
Merge onto I 81
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
9
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
10
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward TN 76
18
Keep slight left at fork
283 ft
·
9 sec
19
Continue on TN 76
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
TN 76
20
Turn right onto US 41A
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto US 41A
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
University Avenue
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
College Street
23
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
For this 332.8-mile trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach your destination. With a duration of over 6 hours, you'll want to plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break, though the flexibility of a day trip allows for more spontaneous stops if needed. The longest stretch without a major exit is 209.8 miles on I-40, so ensure you're fueled up before entering that segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $52, which is helpful for budgeting.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.4 miles from Central, TN, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.8 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 73 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.4 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 1m
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 Central, 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 Central, TN
This is one driving day of about 332.8 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Central, 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 209.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
166 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 166.4 miles from Central, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.8 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 127.9 and 327.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
127.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
282.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
284.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m 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
289.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m 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
327.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 3m 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
$52.03 one way
$104.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $57.13 | $114.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $64.04 | $128.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.48 | $146.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.8 | 1 | $34.94 | $15.97 |
| Efficient EV | 83.2 | 0 | $29.12 | $13.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.1 | 1 | $46.59 | $21.30 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph
65% chance
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
166 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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 13m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 263.9
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 91.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the 332.8 miles spent on major interstates like I-40, I-81, and I-24. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 209.8 miles on I-40, meaning extended periods of consistent highway speed. The character of the drive is geared towards efficient transit rather than winding backroads. Expect a consistent driving experience throughout most of the 6-hour-plus journey.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.9 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 332.8 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 127.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.9 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.
Between Central, TN and Clarksville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.
Nashville
127.9 mi in
|
~2h 26m
|
via I 40
Louisville
284.9 mi in
|
~5h 15m
|
via I 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 332.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.8 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 127.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clarksville, TN before the return drive.
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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