Spanning 317.3 miles across Tennessee, this cross-state journey takes you from the Southeast region in Cleveland to the western reaches of Collierville. You should budget approximately 6 hours and 23 minutes of drive time, making this a long but manageable single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $48, it is a relatively economical way to traverse the state. Because the route is highway-focused, you can expect steady progress throughout the day. While it is certainly possible to complete this in one go, you might consider how a single planned stop will affect your arrival time. This trip serves as a straightforward connection between two distinct parts of Tennessee.
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
158.6 miles from Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 72
92.1 mi
1h 50m
John T Reid Parkway
71.9 mi
1h 22m
US 72 Alternate
59.6 mi
1h 14m
I 24
33.3 mi
38m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
North Cedar Avenue
17.8 mi
20m
Highway 72
9.5 mi
12m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 92.1 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,974 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,367
Quietest
2 AM
~348 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, TN and Collierville, 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, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 24
33 mi·38 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 152AToward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
13
Continue on US 72
18 mi·20 min·North Cedar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 72
0.8 mi·56 sec·Lee Highway
15
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi·2 min·John T Reid Parkway
16
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi·2 min·Lee Highway
17
Continue on US 72
70 mi·1 hr 20 min·John T Reid Parkway
18
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.5 mi·4 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.6 mi·2 min·Bee Line Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
60 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 72
22 mi·26 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 72
1.5 mi·1 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 72
9.5 mi·12 min·Highway 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 72
1.4 mi·2 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 72
44 mi·52 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Enter roundabout onto US 72
155 ft·1 sec·US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
27
Continue on US 72
13 mi·15 min·US 72
Toward US 72 West: MemphisUse the straight / right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72
8.9 mi·11 min·US 72
Toward Collierville, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on US 72
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 72
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto South Center Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Center Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn right onto East South Street
432 ft·17 sec·East South Street
32
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·South Main Street
33
Turn left onto North Rowlett Street
71 ft·3 sec·North Rowlett Street
34
Arrive at destination
North Rowlett Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 23-minute transit, plan your departure for early morning to avoid peak traffic congestion. Since the route allows for one recommended stop, identify your halfway point early to ensure you can refuel and stretch your legs effectively. Keep in mind that your total fuel budget sits around $48, so monitoring your gauge during that 92.1-mile stretch on US 72 is a smart move. Because this is a highway-heavy route, staying alert during the long, consistent segments is vital for your safety. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace based on how you feel during the transition between the parkway and the alternate highway routes.
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 158.6 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.1 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 70 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.6 miles or 3h 8m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Collierville, 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 317.3 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 US 72 for about 92.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this 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 0.2 and 307.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
155.1 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
307.3 mi into trip|~6h 9m in|US 72
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 toward Collierville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Collierville, Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.86 one way
$93.72 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.73
$103.46
premium
$4.72
$58.91
$117.83
diesel
$4.80
$59.91
$119.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.2
1
$33.32
$15.23
Efficient EV
79.3
0
$27.76
$12.69
EV Truck/SUV
126.9
1
$44.42
$20.31
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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
Cleveland, TN
Late night
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 0 to 5 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Collierville, TN
Late night
in Collierville on Sunday
Local time
4:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
WNW 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
92°F
Decatur, AL
159 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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as roughly 90% of your time will be spent on highways. Your route relies heavily on US 72, the John T. Reid Parkway, and US 72 Alternate to carry you across the state. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 92.1 miles on US 72, which requires you to maintain focus during long periods of sustained speed. As you transition between these main roads, the character of the drive remains consistent and reliable rather than technical. You will find that this highway-focused profile prioritizes speed and directness, allowing you to cover the total distance without navigating complex local detours.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.1 mi on US 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and John T Reid Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest.
Driving Effort8/10
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 317.3 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 0.2 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; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
860 ft383 ft
Total Climb
390 ft
Total Descent
867 ft
Highest Point
860 ft
Elevation Range
477 ft
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 Collierville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Chattanooga.
Cleveland is the county seat of Bradley County, Tennessee. As of 2020, the population was 45,902. Just like in other areas of the South, Native Americans such as the Cherokees were forced to cede their tribal homelands and move west in what was termed "The Trail Of Tears", in which many died. Cleveland was an exhibition in all this in that not only was it the site of the diminishing Cherokee's council at a place called Charleston and then Red Clay nearby, but it also was where federal troops imprisoned tribal members in stockades for forced removal by the time the crafty Treaty of New Echota passed in 1835. These things are represented at the Museum Center At Five Points and Red Clay State Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 317.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.1 miles on US 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Collierville, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Collierville, TN before the return drive.
