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Trip from Clarksville, TN to Powells Crossroads, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 14m

Distance

167.4 mi

269 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 3m ★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Tennessee, United States

Clarksville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Powells Crossroads, TN, TN

Powells Crossroads, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Clarksville, TN to Powells Crossroads, TN is 167.4 miles and takes about 3h 14m via I 24 and SR 28, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal for those looking for a straightforward drive without extensive stops.

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

83.7 miles from Clarksville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 24 144.3 mi 2h 41m
SR 28 6.2 mi 8m
TN 28 5.1 mi 5m
Madison Street 4.7 mi 8m
TN 76 3.1 mi 3m
SR 283 2.6 mi 4m
Franklin Street 0.3 mi <1m
University Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 24 — 144.3 mi, about 2h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Powells Crossroads, 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

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 24
Exit 50A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight left lane.
11

Take the exit onto I 24

104 mi · 1 hr 55 min · I 24
Exit 213A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward Primary SR 28: Jasper, Dunlap
13

Turn left onto TN 28

5.1 mi · 5 min · TN 28
14

Continue on SR 28

6.2 mi · 8 min · SR 28
15

Continue on SR 283

2.6 mi · 4 min · SR 283
16

Turn left onto SR 283

58 ft · 1 sec · Alvin C. York Highway
17

Arrive at destination

SR 283

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 14m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize your daylight hours. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is over 144 miles on I 24, so plan your first fuel and rest stop accordingly before you embark on that segment. With a manageable distance and a low fuel cost of around $26, this trip offers flexibility; you can depart at your leisure. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the I 24 segment, as services might be more spread out on the latter portions of SR 28.

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 83.7 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.3 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 37 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 83.7 miles or 1h 38m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Powells Crossroads, 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 167.4 miles and 3h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 144.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown La Vergne, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

La Vergne, TN

84 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

Nashville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Christiana, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.7 miles from Clarksville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.3 miles.

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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 49.3 — 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
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.17 one way

$52.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.73 $57.47
premium $4.89 $32.21 $64.43
diesel $5.61 $36.96 $73.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.2 0 $17.58 $8.04
Efficient EV 41.9 0 $14.65 $6.70
EV Truck/SUV 67 0 $23.44 $10.71

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 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

Night in Clarksville on Saturday

Local time

11:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Powells Crossroads, TN

Night in Powells Crossroads on Saturday

Local time

11:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°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

4 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 14m 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

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 75.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 96% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 144.3 miles on I 24, offering continuous progress. As you transition to SR 28 and TN 28, the character of the drive may shift slightly, but the overall feel remains focused on efficient travel. This highway-centric profile means consistent speeds and minimal slowdowns for most of the trip.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.3 mi on I 24.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and SR 28. 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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 167.4 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.

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 Powells Crossroads, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 28: Jasper and Dunlap.

Knoxville

44.5 mi in | ~53m | via I 24

Chattanooga

47.3 mi in | ~57m | via I 24

Primary Sr 28: Jasper

153.1 mi in | ~2h 55m

Dunlap

153.1 mi in | ~2h 55m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 167.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 144.3 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 Powells Crossroads, 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 0.7 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 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Powells Crossroads, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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