Traveling from Clarksville to Collegedale covers 195 miles, a journey that typically takes 3 hours and 48 minutes. Because this route is entirely within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you will stay within a consistent geographic setting for the duration of your trip. It is a straightforward drive that works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel to complete the trek. By sticking to a single day, you maintain the flexibility to arrive in Collegedale whenever suits your schedule best.
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
97.5 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
174.2 mi
3h 15m
I 75
6.8 mi
9m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
Apison Pike
3.9 mi
7m
TN 76
3.1 mi
3m
SR 317
0.4 mi
<1m
Franklin Street
0.3 mi
<1m
University Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 174.2 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Collegedale, 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
6.8 mi·9 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto SR 317
0.4 mi·32 sec·SR 317
Exit 9Toward SR 317: Collegedale, Volkswagen DriveUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on SR 317
3.0 mi·5 min·Apison Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on SR 317
0.8 mi·1 min·Apison Pike
17
Turn right onto Colcord Drive
70 ft·3 sec·Colcord Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Colcord Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 48-minute drive, plan for at least one stop to break up the long interstate segments. Since the majority of your time is spent on I-24, keep an eye on traffic patterns to avoid potential slowdowns during peak travel hours. Because you are only budgeting for one planned stop, ensure your fuel levels are set before departing Clarksville to keep your $30 estimated cost accurate. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet for a smooth transit, giving you plenty of daylight to reach Collegedale comfortably.
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 97.5 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 1h 54m 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 43 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.5 miles or 1h 54m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Collegedale, 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 195 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.2 and 190.8 — 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
8
190.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|SR 317
Take the exit onto SR 317 toward SR 317: Collegedale, Volkswagen Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward SR 317: Collegedale, Volkswagen Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.49 one way
$60.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.47
$66.94
premium
$4.89
$37.53
$75.05
diesel
$5.61
$43.05
$86.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.5
0
$20.47
$9.36
Efficient EV
48.8
0
$17.06
$7.80
EV Truck/SUV
78
0
$27.30
$12.48
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
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
5:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Collegedale, TN
Morning
in Collegedale on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Manchester, TN
98 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
5 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 48m 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.
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 trip is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You will start by navigating Madison Street before transitioning onto I-24 and eventually merging onto I-75. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 174.2-mile stretch on I-24, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Expect a steady, consistent pace as you move through the Southeast, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than technical curves or backroad exploration.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 13 significant decision points across 195 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.
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 Collegedale, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Knoxville
44.5 mi in|~53m|via I 24
Chattanooga
47.3 mi in|~57m|via I 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 195 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m 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.
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 Collegedale, 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 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Collegedale, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
