Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Cleveland, TN to Lakeland, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 26m
Distance
346.2 mi
557 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 14m
★
6 AM
6h 27m
8 AM
6h 51m
10 AM
6h 35m
12 PM
6h 33m
3 PM
6h 37m
5 PM
6h 50m
8 PM
6h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cleveland, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Lakeland, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cleveland, TN to Lakeland, TN is 346.2 miles and takes about 6h 26m via I 40, I 24, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting the Southeast region. Expect a predominantly highway drive that's efficient for getting you from point A to point B. With a single recommended day, it's a straightforward drive for a quick transit.
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
173.1 miles from Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 155.2 mi | 2h 47m |
| 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 |
| US 74 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Canada Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Lee Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 155.2 mi, about 2h 47m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Lakeland, 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
155 mi
·
2 hr 47 min
·
I 40
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 20
Toward Canada Road, Lakeland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
428 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Canada Road North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Canada Road
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Canada Road
18
Turn right onto Leeward Slopes Lane
229 ft
·
9 sec
·
Leeward Slopes Lane
19
Arrive at destination
Leeward Slopes Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 6.5-hour drive time, starting in the morning is your best bet to arrive with daylight. You'll only have one recommended stop, but with 155.2 miles being the longest stretch, you might want to break it up into two shorter breaks for fuel or a quick stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before tackling that long stretch on I 40, as services can sometimes be spread out. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.
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 173.1 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.2 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 76 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.1 miles or 3h 19m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeland, 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 346.2 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 155.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 173.1 miles from Cleveland, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 155.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Tennessee Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - West Bound
0.1 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - East Bound
0.1 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
I-24 Truck Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Tennessee Welcome Center
0.7 mi from route
The Bug Man
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 345.7 — 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.
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
8
345.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 25m in
Take the exit toward Canada Road, Lakeland
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.
Exit 20
Toward Canada Road, Lakeland
8
345.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Canada Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Canada Road North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.13 one way
$102.25 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $56.44 | $112.88 |
| premium | $4.72 | $64.28 | $128.56 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $65.37 | $130.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.9 | 1 | $36.35 | $16.62 |
| Efficient EV | 86.6 | 0 | $30.29 | $13.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.5 | 1 | $48.47 | $22.16 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Origin
Cleveland, TN
Late night in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 0 to 5 mph
58% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:15AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Lakeland, TN
Late night in Lakeland on Sunday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
W 0 to 10 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:15AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
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
6h 26m 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
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 131.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 98% of this trip on the highway, covering 338.5 miles of freeway before hitting any surface roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 155.2 miles on I 40. Be prepared for a dense number of exits as you navigate through various Tennessee towns and cities. The final segment on Tennessee National Guard Parkway will likely feel more rural.
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: 155.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.2 miles in near US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 346.2 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 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,871 ft
360 ft
Total Climb
1,538 ft
Total Descent
2,003 ft
Highest Point
1,871 ft
~74.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,512 ft
Notable High Points
1,871 ft at ~74.2 miles
+810 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Lakeland, 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
About the Cities
Starting in Cleveland, TN
Full guide →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.
Top landmarks
- • Craigmiles Hall
Arriving in Lakeland, TN
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 346.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 155.2 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Lakeland, 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 34 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 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lakeland, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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