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Trip from Clarksville, TN to Bolivar, 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 20m

Distance

153.7 mi

247 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 9m ★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Tennessee, United States

Clarksville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

seat of Hardeman County in Tennessee

Bolivar, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Clarksville to Bolivar covers 153.7 miles across the Tennessee landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is well within a single day’s reach, you can comfortably complete the trip in one day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to handle the distance. The route transitions through the Southeast, moving from Clarksville toward Bolivar while utilizing a mix of I-40, State Highway 48, and Main Street. It serves as a practical, efficient transit between these two Tennessee locales, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking for a straightforward, highway-focused connection.

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

76.8 miles from Clarksville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 76.3 mi 1h 21m
State Highway 48 23.4 mi 34m
Main Street 15.2 mi 23m
Center Avenue 9.1 mi 16m
State Highway 13 7.6 mi 11m
US 70 7.1 mi 10m
Bolivar Highway 5.4 mi 7m
South Highland Avenue 4 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 76.3 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Bolivar, TN.

1

Start on North 2nd Street

353 ft · 11 sec · North 2nd Street
2

Turn right onto Main Street

0.3 mi · 58 sec · Main Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto US 41A Bypass; SR 48

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Riverside Drive
4

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Turn straight onto TN 13; TN 48

0.5 mi · 1 min · Cumberland Drive
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on TN 13; TN 48

7.6 mi · 11 min · State Highway 13
7

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 48

23 mi · 34 min · State Highway 48
8

Turn left onto US 70 Business

332 ft · 8 sec · West College Street
9

Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Church Street
10

Continue on SR 48 Alternate

9.1 mi · 16 min · Center Avenue
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 163 Toward SR 48: Centerville
12

Merge onto I 40

76 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 40
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 70, US 412 East
14

Turn left onto US 70

4.2 mi · 6 min · US 70
15

Turn left onto US 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 70
16

Turn left onto US 45

4.0 mi · 6 min · South Highland Avenue
17

Turn right onto TN 18

5.4 mi · 7 min · Bolivar Highway
18

Continue on TN 18

15 mi · 22 min · Main Street
19

Continue on SR 18; SR 125

3.1 mi · 4 min · SR 18; SR 125
20

Arrive at destination

SR 18; SR 125

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3-hour and 20-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since you are spending a large portion of the trip on I-40, check traffic reports before departing to avoid potential congestion on the interstate segments. Leaving in the morning provides the most flexibility, allowing you to reach your destination by the afternoon with plenty of time to spare. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the 76.3-mile interstate stretch to ensure you are comfortable between service stations. Use the shorter, non-highway portions of the trip as a natural opportunity to slow down and transition into the local pace of Bolivar.

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 76.8 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.3 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 34 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bolivar, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, TN

This is one driving day of about 153.7 miles and 3h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Clarksville, 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 76.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Tennessee, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dickson, TN

77 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

Dickson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waverly, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.8 miles from Clarksville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Carriage House Coffee Bolivar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bolivar, Tennessee

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 153.7

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+17314031840

Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120.7

Jackson, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17316646217

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120.7

Jackson, Tennessee

Hours: 9 am–1 pm

+17316683353

Visit website

Carriage House Coffee Bolivar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 153.7

Bolivar, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+17314031840

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 119 — 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 | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
33.3 mi into trip | ~50m in | SR 48 Alternate / Church Street

Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate / Church Street

Navigation decision point

5
42.5 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Take the ramp toward SR 48: Centerville

Navigation decision point

Exit 163 Toward SR 48: Centerville
5
119 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in

Take the exit toward US 70, US 412 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 70, US 412 East

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.03 one way

$48.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.38 $52.77
premium $4.89 $29.58 $59.16
diesel $5.61 $33.94 $67.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.1 0 $16.14 $7.38
Efficient EV 38.4 0 $13.45 $6.15
EV Truck/SUV 61.5 0 $21.52 $9.84

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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 15, 2026

Origin

Clarksville, TN

Late night in Clarksville on Sunday

Local time

3:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bolivar, TN

Late night in Bolivar on Sunday

Local time

3:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°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

2 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 20m 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?

Expect a trip defined by a highway-focused profile, with 76% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. The journey features a significant 76.3-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the backbone of your travel and allows for steady, consistent speeds. As you transition off the interstate and onto State Highway 48 and Main Street, the pace shifts from the high-speed interstate environment to more localized driving. This combination ensures you cover the majority of the 153.7 miles with efficiency before navigating the final segments into Bolivar. Behind the wheel, you will experience a functional blend of fast-paced transit and standard regional road driving.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.3 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and State Highway 48. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 20m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 153.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 76.3 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (SR 48 Alternate / Church Street): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Bolivar, 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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