Clarksville, TN to Clinton, TN is 218 miles and takes about 4h 12m via I-24 and I-40, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving generally east across the Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip mostly on major interstates, making it a good option if you want to get from point A to point B efficiently. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's easily manageable in a single day.
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
109 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
119 mi
2h 9m
I 40
56.3 mi
1h 1m
Harriman Highway
9.6 mi
10m
Oliver Springs Highway
7.1 mi
12m
US 27
6.8 mi
7m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
West Tri County Boulevard
4.6 mi
5m
TN 76
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 119 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Clinton, 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
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 24
Exit 50AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left lane.
11
Continue on I 40
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
13
Keep slight right at fork
335 ft·8 sec
14
Merge onto US 27
6.8 mi·7 min·US 27
15
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
16
Continue on SR 61
4.6 mi·5 min·West Tri County Boulevard
17
Turn left onto SR 61
7.1 mi·12 min·Oliver Springs Highway
18
At end of road, turn left onto TN 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Oak Ridge Turnpike
19
Continue on TN 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Oak Ridge Highway
20
Continue on TN 61
384 ft·6 sec·South Charles G Seivers Boulevard
21
Continue on TN 61
0.4 mi·41 sec·South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard
22
Continue on SR 61
2.1 mi·3 min·South Charles G Seivers Boulevard
23
Turn left onto US 25W
0.5 mi·50 sec·South Main Street
24
Turn right onto Market Street
135 ft·7 sec·Market Street
25
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and take advantage of the single recommended stop without feeling rushed. Since the total duration is under 5 hours, you have flexibility if you decide to pause longer than planned. The longest stretch without a major road change is 119 miles on I-24, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you get too far into that section. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 budget suggests you won't need to fill up multiple times.
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 109 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 miles or 2h 4m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, 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 218 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 119 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 0.7 and 47.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street
Turn left onto US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
8.9 mi into trip|~14m in|I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
5
44.5 mi into trip|~53m in|I 24
Continue onto I 24 toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, Knoxville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 86
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, Knoxville
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.36 one way
$72.73 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$39.68
$79.36
premium
$5.25
$45.08
$90.17
diesel
$6.28
$53.86
$107.73
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Oak Ridge Turnpike
(1.1 mi)$0.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.52
$13.95
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Clarksville, TN
Morning
in Clarksville on Thursday
Local time
6:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
SSE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clinton, TN
Morning
in Clinton on Thursday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
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 12m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 67.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 85% of the 218 miles on interstates like I-24 and I-40. You'll experience a long stretch of 119 miles on I-24 before transitioning to I-40. Harriman Highway marks where the highway portion significantly decreases, so expect a change in road type and potentially more local traffic after that point. The dense interstate mileage means frequent exits and merging traffic.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 218 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 0.7 miles (US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,924 ft423 ft
Total Climb
2,009 ft
Total Descent
1,660 ft
Highest Point
1,924 ft
~140.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,501 ft
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 Clinton, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga and Rockwood.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 218 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.08 in tolls one way, starting with Oak Ridge Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Clinton, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Clinton, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
