Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Cleveland, TN to Milan, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 38m
Distance
289.2 mi
465 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 25m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 5m
10 AM
5h 48m
12 PM
5h 45m
3 PM
5h 49m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Milan, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traversing Tennessee from Cleveland to Milan covers 289.2 miles, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 38 minutes of drive time. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, it is well-suited for a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a longer stint behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $44 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Southeast locations. Navigating through the state via I-24, I-40, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway provides a direct path that minimizes local congestion. While an overnight stay isn't strictly necessary, planning for a single stop will help keep you fresh for the duration of the trip. Overall, this is a straightforward, utilitarian drive that prioritizes efficiency over exploration.
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
144.6 miles from Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 111.9 mi | 2h 6m |
| I 40 | 74.8 mi | 1h 20m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 53.7 mi | 58m |
| I 75 | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| SR 220 | 8.8 mi | 15m |
| TN 104 | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| SR 104 | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| South Lee Highway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 111.9 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, TN and Milan, 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
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 40
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 101
Toward SR 104
16
Turn right onto TN 104
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
TN 104
17
Turn right onto US 70; SR 104
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Broadway of America
18
Turn sharp left onto SR 220
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
SR 220
19
Turn right onto SR 220
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
SR 220
20
Turn left onto SR 104
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
SR 104
21
Continue on TN 104
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Ellington Drive
22
Turn right onto US 45E
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 1st Street
23
Turn left onto Williamson Street
254 ft
·
13 sec
·
Williamson Street
24
Turn right onto South Main Street
7 ft
·
0 sec
·
South Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this nearly six-hour trek, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the busier interstate sections. Since the route is manageable in one go, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel; having a $44 budget for gas gives you a clear target for your trip expenses. Pay close attention to your pacing as you transition between the major highways like I-40 and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, as these junctions can be busy. Given that the drive is quite linear, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal energy levels. A helpful tip is to check traffic reports specifically for the I-24 corridor before you head out, as this 111.9-mile stretch is the most critical segment of your journey.
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 144.6 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 64 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.6 miles or 2h 48m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milan, 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 289.2 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 24 for about 111.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144.6 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 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
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
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 215 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
$45.21 one way
$90.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $49.64 | $99.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $55.65 | $111.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.85 | $127.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.37 | $13.88 |
| Efficient EV | 72.3 | 0 | $25.30 | $11.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.7 | 1 | $40.49 | $18.51 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Milan, TN
Late night in Milan on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
29 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
5h 38m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 129.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience on this trip, as 97% of the drive consists of highway travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 111.9 miles on I-24. The personality of this route is defined by its consistency and speed, moving you quickly across the state landscape. While you transition between these major arteries, the road maintains a steady, predictable pace designed for long-distance transit. Be prepared for a focused, interstate-heavy grind rather than a winding backroad tour, making it ideal for those who prefer to make steady progress toward their destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.9 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. 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 21 significant decision points across 289.2 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: 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.
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 Milan, 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 5h 38m. Total distance: 289.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.9 miles on I 24. 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 Milan, 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: 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Milan, 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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