Cleveland, TN to Thompson's Station, TN is 163.7 miles and takes about 3h 11m via I-24 and I-75, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This primarily highway-focused drive stays within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward trip entirely within Tennessee. With a 95% highway share, expect a swift journey that's ideal for a single-day excursion. It's a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.9 miles from Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
111.9 mi
2h 6m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
23.8 mi
25m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
South Lee Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Columbia Pike
2.1 mi
3m
US 74
1.3 mi
1m
Thompsons Station Road West
0.6 mi
1m
Lee Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 111.9 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, TN and Thompson's Station, 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
24 mi·25 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 28Toward US 31: Franklin, ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
272 ft·8 sec
Toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, ColumbiaUse the left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
130 ft·3 sec
Toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia
17
Turn straight onto US 31
2.1 mi·3 min·Columbia Pike
18
Turn right onto Thompsons Station Road West
0.3 mi·28 sec·Thompsons Station Road West
19
Continue on Thompsons Station Road West
0.4 mi·56 sec·Thompsons Station Road West
20
Arrive at destination
Thompsons Station Road West
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of just over 3 hours, you have considerable flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Cleveland, TN in the morning or early afternoon will comfortably get you to Thompson's Station, TN before evening. The fuel cost estimate is around $26, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before embarking, especially considering the longest stretch without services is over 111 miles on I-24. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the halfway point to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted 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 81.9 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 1h 36m 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.9 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompson's Station, 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 163.7 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.3 and 161 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
160.5 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 31: Franklin, Columbia
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 28
Toward US 31: Franklin, Columbia
8
160.9 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring...
7
161 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 South: Thompson's Station, Spring...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.59 one way
$51.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.10
$56.20
premium
$4.89
$31.50
$63.01
diesel
$5.61
$36.14
$72.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.1
0
$17.19
$7.86
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
EV Truck/SUV
65.5
0
$22.92
$10.48
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Morning
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Thompson's Station, TN
Late night
in Thompson's Station on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
33 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
3h 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 135.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the journey taking place on major interstates like I-24 and I-75. You'll experience the efficiency of this type of travel for the majority of the trip, including a significant stretch of 111.9 miles on I-24 without major interruptions. While the Tennessee National Guard Parkway offers a brief deviation, the character remains predominantly that of a fast-paced interstate commute. Be prepared for consistent highway speeds and minimal traffic delays, characteristic of a well-traveled corridor.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 23.3 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 163.7 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 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; at 160.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Thompson's Station, 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 3h 11m. Total distance: 163.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). 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.
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 Thompson's Station, 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: 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; at 160.5 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Thompson's Station, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
