Origin
Clarksville, TN
Late night in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarksville, TN to Loretto, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
120.7 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Loretto, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Clarksville, TN to Loretto, TN is 120.7 miles and takes about 2h 36m via US 43, State Highway 48, and State Highway 7, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a drive that's primarily on well-maintained highways, making it a straightforward journey for a single day. It's a practical route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. Consider this drive for its simplicity and manageable duration.
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
60.3 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 43 | 48.1 mi | 54m |
| State Highway 48 | 22.6 mi | 32m |
| State Highway 7 | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| SR 46 | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| State Highway 13 | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Santa Fe Pike | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 46 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Industrial Park Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 48.1 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Loretto, 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
·
32 min
·
State Highway 48
8
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
205 ft
·
15 sec
10
Turn left onto US 70
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Henslee Drive
11
Turn slight right
295 ft
·
4 sec
12
Turn slight right onto SR 46
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Mathis Drive
13
Continue on SR 46
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
SR 46
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on TN 46
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 46
15
Continue on TN 7
21 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 7
16
Continue on TN 7
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Santa Fe Pike
17
Turn right onto Industrial Park Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Industrial Park Road
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
19
Merge onto US 43; US 412
48 mi
·
54 min
·
US 43; US 412
20
Turn right onto Church Street
504 ft
·
24 sec
·
Church Street
21
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under three hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility for your departure time. Aim to leave Clarksville in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 48.1 miles on US 43, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before heading into that segment. Given the relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost of around $19, you have the freedom to depart when most convenient, but starting earlier ensures a relaxed arrival in Loretto.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.3 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.1 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 27 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 miles or 1h 25m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Loretto, 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 120.7 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 US 43 for about 48.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.3 miles from Clarksville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 32.6 — 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
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive
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.
4
9.9 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
SR 48 / State Highway 48
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 48 / State Highway 48
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
32.6 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.87 one way
$37.74 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.72 | $41.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.23 | $46.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.65 | $53.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.56 | $4.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.72 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Loretto, TN
Late night in Loretto on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 36m 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?
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey taking place on major roads. You'll experience an uninterrupted stretch of 48.1 miles on US 43, offering a consistent pace. The primary roads guiding you are US 43, State Highway 48, and State Highway 7. While predominantly highway, the transition between these roads ensures you're not stuck on one monotonous stretch for the entire trip. This blend provides a driving experience that is largely efficient, with ample opportunity to cover ground smoothly.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.1 mi on US 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and State Highway 48. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 120.7 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 120.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.1 miles on US 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Loretto, 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Loretto, TN before heading back.
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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