Clarksville, TN to Newport, TN is 272.5 miles and takes about 5h 6m via I-24 and I-40, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. Given the relatively short duration and high highway percentage, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
136.3 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
140.1 mi
2h 34m
I 24
119 mi
2h 9m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
US 25W
4 mi
6m
TN 76
3.1 mi
3m
Franklin Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
University Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.1 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Newport, 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
93 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
10 mi·11 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 411 South: Sevierville
15
Keep slight left at fork
261 ft·8 sec
16
Turn left onto US 25W; US 70; US 411
0.3 mi·28 sec·US 25W; US 70; US 411
17
Turn straight onto US 25W; US 70
3.7 mi·5 min·US 25W; US 70
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto North Cosby Highway
402 ft·6 sec·North Cosby Highway
Use the left lane.
19
At end of road, turn right onto East Main Street
0.3 mi·22 sec·East Main Street
20
Turn right onto US 321
235 ft·6 sec·McMahan Avenue
21
Turn right
56 ft·4 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving Clarksville in the morning should get you to Newport with plenty of daylight remaining. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for one fuel or rest stop around the halfway point is practical. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 140.1-mile stretch on I-40, where services might be more spread out. The $48 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor gas prices along your route. You'll likely notice the transition from more urban environments near Clarksville to a more rural interstate feel as you progress east.
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 136.3 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 60 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.3 miles or 2h 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 4h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport, 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 272.5 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 40 for about 140.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First break
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
Joelton, Tennessee
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+16158762500
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 East Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Time Out Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Jefferson County I-40 East Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Tennessee Visitor Center
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland County I-40 West Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
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
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Eco Travel Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Bay 2
2.3 mi from route
Bay 4
2.4 mi from route
I-81 Jefferson County West
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 221 — 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
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...
6
221 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.24 one way
$80.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.43
$88.85
premium
$4.72
$50.59
$101.19
diesel
$4.80
$51.45
$102.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.8
1
$28.61
$13.08
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.84
$10.90
EV Truck/SUV
109
1
$38.15
$17.44
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Clarksville, TN
Late night
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
1:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 0 to 5 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Newport, TN
Late night
in Newport on Sunday
Local time
2:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 5 mph52% 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
3 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
5h 6m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 65.8
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 244.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Nearly all of this drive, 98%, is on the highway. You'll be on Interstate 40 for a substantial stretch of 140.1 miles. The route begins with some city surface streets like Madison Street before merging onto I-24 and then I-40. Expect a consistent highway experience with frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate between these interstates.
98% 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: 140.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 272.5 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
1,786 ft474 ft
Total Climb
1,934 ft
Total Descent
1,360 ft
Highest Point
1,786 ft
~136.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,313 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 Newport, 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
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Newport is a city in Tennessee with a history of bootlegging and a bit of desperation to make it out of poverty in Appalachia. Though it went through a lot of ups and downs over the years, there aren't a whole lot of singular attractions to visit here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 272.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Newport, 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 28 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 and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newport, TN before the return drive.
