Planning a trip from Clarksville, TN to Cleveland, TN? This 207.3-mile journey will take you about 4 hours and 1 minute of pure driving time, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, with Madison Street being a key local road at the beginning. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $32. Given that it's a highway-focused route within the Southeast region, it's ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this a straightforward drive perfect for a single day's adventure.
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
103.7 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
174.2 mi
3h 15m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
TN 76
3.1 mi
3m
South Lee Highway
2.5 mi
4m
US 74
1.2 mi
1m
Inman Street West
0.4 mi
<1m
Keith Street Southwest
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 174.2 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,974 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,367
Quietest
2 AM
~348 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·North 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·Franklin Street
3
Turn right onto US 41A
0.2 mi·29 sec·University Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 41A; SR 76
4.7 mi·8 min·Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto TN 76
3.1 mi·3 min·TN 76
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
7
Merge onto I 24
33 mi·35 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·I 24
Exit 44AToward I 24 East, I 65 South: NashvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on I 24
2.8 mi·3 min·I 24
Exit 86Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, KnoxvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.1 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 50AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto I 24
134 mi·2 hr 30 min·I 24
Exit 213AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
15
Keep slight left at fork
281 ft·9 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
16
Turn right onto US 74
1.2 mi·1 min·US 74
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
18
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.5 mi·4 min·South Lee Highway
19
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi·34 sec·Keith Street Southwest
20
Turn right onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Inman Street West
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive from Clarksville to Cleveland, you can easily complete it in a single day. Leaving Clarksville in the morning will allow you to arrive in Cleveland with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically for comfort, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 174.2 miles on I-24, as services can be spaced out. This direct route offers flexibility, so you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 103.7 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.2 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.7 miles or 2h 1m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, 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 207.3 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 24 for about 174.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.2 and 202.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
42.2 mi into trip|~50m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
9
47.3 mi into trip|~57m in|I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
7
49.3 mi into trip|~1h in|I 24
Take the exit onto I 24 toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
183.1 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
7
202.6 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20
Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.61 one way
$61.23 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.80
$67.59
premium
$4.72
$38.49
$76.98
diesel
$4.80
$39.14
$78.28
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: 72.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.2
0
$21.77
$9.95
Efficient EV
51.8
0
$18.14
$8.29
EV Truck/SUV
82.9
1
$29.02
$13.27
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Clarksville, TN
Late night
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 0 to 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:58PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Morning
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:58PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
87°F
Manchester, TN
104 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
4h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel occurring on interstates. Expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 174.2 miles primarily on I-24. The character of the drive is largely about covering ground efficiently, transitioning from local roads like Madison Street onto the swiftness of I-24 and then I-75. While not designed for leisurely sightseeing, it offers a consistent driving experience focused on speed and directness across Tennessee.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.2 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 42.2 miles in near I 24.
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 16 significant decision points across 207.3 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 42.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.3 miles (I 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,863 ft463 ft
Total Climb
2,250 ft
Total Descent
1,864 ft
Highest Point
1,863 ft
~133.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,401 ft
Notable High Points
1,863 ft at ~133.3 miles+863 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clarksville, TN and Cleveland, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.
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.
Top landmarks
•Customs House Museum and Cultural Center — Clarksville, Tennessee, former customs house and former post office
Cleveland is the county seat of Bradley County, Tennessee. As of 2020, the population was 45,902. Just like in other areas of the South, Native Americans such as the Cherokees were forced to cede their tribal homelands and move west in what was termed "The Trail Of Tears", in which many died. Cleveland was an exhibition in all this in that not only was it the site of the diminishing Cherokee's council at a place called Charleston and then Red Clay nearby, but it also was where federal troops imprisoned tribal members in stockades for forced removal by the time the crafty Treaty of New Echota passed in 1835. These things are represented at the Museum Center At Five Points and Red Clay State Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 207.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.2 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Cleveland, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.3 miles (I 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Cleveland, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
