Cleveland, TN to Smyrna, TN is 271.9 miles and takes about 5h 22m via I 24 and I 40, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With 96% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly straightforward and efficient transit. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to break up the drive.
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
135.9 miles from Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
111.9 mi
2h 6m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
I 40
49.6 mi
53m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
US 641
13.7 mi
15m
US 70
9.4 mi
14m
SR 114
4.1 mi
7m
Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 111.9 mi, about 2h 6m
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 Smyrna, 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
112 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse 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
50 mi·53 min·I 40
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 126Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
16
Keep slight right at fork
192 ft·4 sec
17
Merge onto US 641
14 mi·15 min·US 641
18
Turn left onto US 70
1.6 mi·2 min·US 70
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
7.8 mi·11 min·US 70
20
Turn left onto SR 114
4.1 mi·7 min·SR 114
21
Turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi·6 min·Buena Vista Road
22
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2.0 mi·7 min·Smyrna Road
23
Turn right onto Buck Ditch Road
58 ft·2 sec·Buck Ditch Road
24
Arrive at destination
Buck Ditch Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to arrive with plenty of daylight. While there's only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 111 miles on I 24, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. Given the manageable duration, you have flexibility to depart later if needed, but staying on schedule will ensure a relaxed arrival.
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 135.9 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 2h 38m 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 60 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, 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 271.9 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 239.9 — 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
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
6
239.9 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.15 one way
$80.31 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.33
$88.66
premium
$4.72
$50.48
$100.97
diesel
$4.80
$51.34
$102.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.6
1
$28.55
$13.05
Efficient EV
68
0
$23.79
$10.88
EV Truck/SUV
108.8
1
$38.07
$17.40
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cleveland, TN
Morning
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
0 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:44AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Smyrna, TN
Late night
in Smyrna on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:44AM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 22m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 131.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 96% of this 271.9-mile route being on I 24 and I 40. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 111.9 miles on I 24. You'll notice a high concentration of exits and interchanges for much of the drive. The transition to surface roads will occur towards the end of your trip.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Tennessee National Guard 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 21 significant decision points across 271.9 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
Gently rolling terrain
1,610 ft430 ft
Total Climb
1,535 ft
Total Descent
1,879 ft
Highest Point
1,610 ft
~77.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,179 ft
Notable High Points
1,610 ft at ~77.7 miles+541 ft prominence
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 Smyrna, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga, Franklin, Paris and Parsons.
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 5h 22m. Total distance: 271.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m 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 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 Smyrna, 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: 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.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smyrna, TN before the return drive.
