Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Clarksville, TN to Grimsley, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
160.6 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Grimsley, TN
Mike Fox
Trip Overview
This 160.6-mile drive from Clarksville, TN to Grimsley, TN can be comfortably completed in about 3 hours and 9 minutes, making it an ideal one-day road trip. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the journey on major roads, including I-24 and I-40. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this trip offers an economical way to travel within the Southeast region. You'll experience a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single day's adventure, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
80.3 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 119 mi | 2h 9m |
| Clarkrange Highway | 14.8 mi | 22m |
| I 40 | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| South York Highway | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Madison Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| TN 76 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| East Commercial Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Holly Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 119 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Grimsley, 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 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on I 24
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Exit 86
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, Knoxville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
81 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 24
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
11
Continue on I 40
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 40
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 70N, Primary SR 84: Monterey, Livingston
13
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
South Holly Street
14
Turn right onto SR 62
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Commercial Avenue
15
Turn straight onto SR 62
15 mi
·
22 min
·
Clarkrange Highway
16
Turn left onto US 127
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
South York Highway
17
Turn left
42 ft
·
3 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, departing Clarksville in the morning will allow you to reach Grimsley with plenty of daylight remaining. The estimated fuel cost is $25, so ensure your tank is full before setting off, especially as the longest stretch is 119 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, be mindful of rest areas on I-24 for stretching your legs. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, but planning around potential traffic on I-24 is always a good idea.
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 80.3 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 1h 33m 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grimsley, 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 160.6 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from Clarksville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Tennessee Visitor Center
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Bay 2
2.3 mi from route
Bay 4
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 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
$26.70 one way
$53.40 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $29.09 | $58.17 |
| premium | $5.18 | $32.77 | $65.54 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $33.83 | $67.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.86 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.05 | $6.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.48 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Origin
Clarksville, TN
Afternoon in Clarksville on Wednesday
Local time
4:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Rain Showers
NNE 5 mph
32% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Grimsley, TN
Afternoon in Grimsley on Wednesday
Local time
4:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Rain Showers Likely
0 mph
63% chance
Live forecast
85°F
Watertown, TN
80 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 60.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's primarily on the interstate, with 82% of the 160.6 miles utilizing major highways like I-24 and I-40. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans an impressive 119 miles on I-24, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway-focused, the route transitions to Clarkrange Highway as you approach your destination, introducing a change in scenery and road type. This blend means you'll cover a lot of ground efficiently before a more localized final approach.
82% 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: 119 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Clarkrange Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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
1,896 ft
447 ft
Total Climb
1,880 ft
Total Descent
603 ft
Highest Point
1,896 ft
~137.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,448 ft
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 Clarksville, TN and Grimsley, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
Knoxville
44.5 mi in
|
~53m
|
via I 24
Chattanooga
47.3 mi in
|
~57m
|
via I 24
Primary Sr 84: Monterey
136.8 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Livingston
136.8 mi in
|
~2h 34m
About the Cities
Starting in Clarksville, TN
Full guide →Founded 1785
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
Arriving in Grimsley, TN
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 160.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
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 0.7 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Grimsley, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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