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Trip from Cleveland, TN to Arlington, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 22m

Distance

340.1 mi

547 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 10m ★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 15m

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

town in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States of America

Arlington, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Cleveland, TN to Arlington, TN is 340.1 miles and takes about 6h 22m via I 40 and I 24, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience for this one-day trip. Given its straightforward nature and manageable duration, it's a solid option for a quick transit between these two points. You'll be covering a significant portion of the state, so be prepared for a solid day on the road.

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

170 miles from Cleveland, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 146.4 mi 2h 37m
I 24 111.9 mi 2h 6m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway 53.7 mi 58m
I 75 18.4 mi 22m
South Lee Highway 2.4 mi 3m
Forrest Street 1.4 mi 3m
US 74 1.3 mi 1m
Hickory Withe Road 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 146.4 mi, about 2h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, TN and Arlington, TN.

1

Start on US 64

68 ft · 9 sec · Inman Street West
2

Turn left onto US 64; US 11 Business

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Broad Street Southwest
3

Turn right onto US 64; US 11 Business

0.2 mi · 23 sec · 3rd Street Southwest
Use the right lane.
4

Continue on US 64; US 11 Business

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Lee Highway
5

Turn left onto US 11; US 64

2.4 mi · 3 min · South Lee Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
7

Merge onto US 74

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 74
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Merge onto I 75

18 mi · 22 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 24

112 mi · 2 hr 6 min · I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 74A Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin Use the right lane.
13

Merge onto I 840

54 mi · 58 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 40

146 mi · 2 hr 37 min · I 40
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
16

Turn right onto SR 196

0.4 mi · 46 sec · SR 196
17

Turn straight onto Hickory Withe Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · Hickory Withe Road
18

Continue on Forrest Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · Forrest Street
19

Arrive at destination

Walker Street

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour drive, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Arlington, TN comfortably. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 98%, you can easily complete this journey in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 146.4 miles on I 40, as services might be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated at $53, so budget accordingly. Being a single-day trip, flexibility is key, but a mid-drive break around the halfway point is advisable for stretching.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.4 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 75 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 170 miles or 3h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, TN

This is one driving day of about 340.1 miles and 6h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Cleveland, 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 146.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Franklin, TN

170 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.

Popular next leg

Franklin, TN to Arlington, TN

178.2 mi · 3h 19m

Pacing Suggestions

Chattanooga, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Franklin, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 170 miles from Cleveland, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.4 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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 135.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest

Turn left onto US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest

Navigation decision point

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest

Turn right onto US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
7
23.3 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
135.8 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 74A Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.17 one way

$106.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $58.38 $116.76
premium $4.89 $65.45 $130.90
diesel $5.61 $75.09 $150.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 119 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 102 1 $35.71 $16.32
Efficient EV 85 0 $29.76 $13.60
EV Truck/SUV 136 1 $47.61 $21.77

Gas CO2

119 kg

EV CO2

40 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Cleveland, TN

Late night in Cleveland on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, TN

Night in Arlington on Saturday

Local time

11:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

1 hour earlier

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

6h 22m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 129
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I 40 and I 24. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 146.4 miles on I 40, so plan for extended periods of consistent driving. The Tennessee National Guard Parkway also features on this route. Overall, expect a fast-paced journey primarily on high-speed roads, minimizing time spent on slower local routes. The character of the drive remains consistent for much of the trip.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.4 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 early in the drive near US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest.

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 14 significant decision points across 340.1 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: near the start (US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: 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 Cleveland, TN and Arlington, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Franklin.

Nashville

23.3 mi in | ~30m

Chattanooga

24 mi in | ~31m | via I 24

Franklin

135.8 mi in | ~2h 38m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 340.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 146.4 miles on I 40. 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 Arlington, 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: near the start (US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington, TN before the return drive.

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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Explore more options from Cleveland, TN or browse trips ending in Arlington, TN.

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