Trip from Colonial Heights, TN to Clarksville, TN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 52m

Distance

318 mi

512 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 39m ★

6 AM

5h 53m

8 AM

6h 19m

10 AM

6h 2m

12 PM

5h 59m

3 PM

6h 3m

5 PM

6h 17m

8 PM

5h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Colonial Heights, TN

Andy Staver

Clarksville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 318-mile drive from Colonial Heights, TN, to Clarksville, TN, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. The majority of your journey, 97%, will be on major interstates, specifically I-40 and I-24, making it a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated around $50, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day's travel. You'll be staying within the Southeast region, traversing Tennessee for the entirety of this route. Given the duration and highway nature, it’s a straightforward transit rather than a destination-focused 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

159 miles from Colonial Heights, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	209.8 mi	3h 49m
I 81	59.2 mi	1h 3m
I 24	36.4 mi	40m
Madison Street	4.7 mi	8m
TN 76	3.4 mi	3m
Downtown Loop	2.3 mi	3m
Fort Henry Drive	0.9 mi	1m
University Avenue	0.4 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 209.8 mi, about 3h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, TN and Clarksville, TN.

Start on Colonial Heights Road

82 ft · 9 sec · Colonial Heights Road

Turn left onto SR 36

0.9 mi · 1 min · Fort Henry Drive

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 81

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81

Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40

Toward Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 3 min · I 40

Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 24

0.3 mi · 28 sec · I 24

Exit 211 Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 24

2.3 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 24

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 24

Exit 46A Toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit onto I 24

34 mi · 36 min · I 24

Exit 88 Toward I 24 West: Clarksville Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward TN 76

Keep slight left at fork

283 ft · 9 sec

Continue on TN 76

3.4 mi · 3 min · TN 76

Turn right onto US 41A

4.7 mi · 8 min · Madison Street

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn right onto US 41A

0.4 mi · 44 sec · University Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48

0.3 mi · 45 sec · College Street

Turn left onto North 2nd Street

134 ft · 2 sec · North 2nd Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

North 2nd Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 52-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Colonial Heights to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. While the drive is manageable in a single day, you'll have one significant stretch of 209.8 miles on I-40, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or during that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $50 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra. Since this route is primarily interstate, your main consideration will be staying alert and aware of changing speed limits and potential construction zones.

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 159 miles from Colonial Heights, TN, or about 2h 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.8 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 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 159 miles or 2h 54m 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 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksville, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, TN

This is one driving day of about 318 miles and 5h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Colonial Heights, 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 209.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Algood, TN

159 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

Sevierville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 159 miles from Colonial Heights, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.8 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 51min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16159286576

Visit website

Momento Specialty Coffee - EAST

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

0.9 mi

Germantown Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

1 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

The Loading Dock Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nashville, Tennessee

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 51min to go 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16156518154

Visit website

Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16159286576

Visit website

Momento Specialty Coffee - EAST

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16156498508

Visit website

Germantown Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16152423226

Visit website

Sky Blue Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+16157707097

Visit website

Flora + Fauna Cafe and Roaster

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16158669170

Visit website

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Nashville, TN

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16158407933

Visit website

Listening Room Cafe - Nashville

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16152593600

Visit website

Fattoush Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16153211667

Visit website

The Loading Dock Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Nashville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16156518154

Visit website

Cultivate Coffee + Flowers

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18652537560

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Frank Lorino Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Morristown, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14235816451

Visit website

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 113.1 and 312.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

113.1 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Nashville

268 mi into trip | ~4h 51m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 213B Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville

270.1 mi into trip | ~4h 54m in | I 24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 211 Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville

274.9 mi into trip | ~5h 1m in | I 24

Take the exit onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 88 Toward I 24 West: Clarksville

312.6 mi into trip | ~5h 42m in | US 41A / Madison Street

Turn right onto US 41A / Madison Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.96 one way

$93.92 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.14	$51.84	$103.69
premium	$4.72	$59.04	$118.09
diesel	$4.80	$60.04	$120.09

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: 111.3 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	95.4	1	$33.39	$15.26
Efficient EV	79.5	0	$27.83	$12.72
EV Truck/SUV	127.2	1	$44.52	$20.35

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

Colonial Heights, TN

Late night in Colonial Heights on Sunday

Local time

5:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

93°F

Mostly Sunny

0 mph 10% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN

Destination

Clarksville, TN

Late night in Clarksville on Sunday

Local time

4:35 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

W 0 to 5 mph 55% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 12:56PM 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 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 52m 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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 252.2

View on nps.gov

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 76.7

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 predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 97% of the mileage covered on interstates like I-40 and I-24. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 209.8 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This means you'll likely experience smooth sailing for significant portions of the trip, with minimal need to navigate local roads or traffic lights. The road's personality is built for efficiency, designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

97% 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: 209.8 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 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.1 miles in near I 40.

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 318 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 113.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 268 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.1 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,831 ft 421 ft

Total Climb

1,296 ft

Total Descent

2,260 ft

Highest Point

1,831 ft

~159 mi in

Elevation Range

1,410 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Colonial Heights, TN and Clarksville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Louisville.

Nashville

113.1 mi in | ~2h 4m | via I 40

Louisville

270.1 mi in | ~4h 54m | via I 24

About the Cities

Starting in Colonial Heights, TN

Full guide →

Arriving in Clarksville, TN

Full guide →

Founded 1785

Clarksville is the county seat of Montgomery County, in Central Tennessee. Founded in 1784, Clarksville is one of the south's most historic cities. Today, visitors can experience that history through memorable attractions, unique historic architecture and a variety of annual festivals and events. Steeped in history, Clarksville began as a settlement along the banks of the Cumberland and Red Rivers by Revolutionary War hero John Montgomery in the early 1780s. In 1785, Clarksville became Tennessee's first incorporated city.

Top landmarks

• Customs House Museum and Cultural Center — Clarksville, Tennessee, former customs house and former post office

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 5h 52m. Total distance: 318 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 52m 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 209.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 33 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 Clarksville, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clarksville, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Colonial Heights, TN to Clarksville, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe

The Loading Dock Cafe

Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe

Momento Specialty Coffee - EAST

Germantown Café

Sky Blue Cafe

Flora + Fauna Cafe and Roaster

Café Intermezzo - Nashville

Listening Room Cafe - Nashville

Fattoush Cafe

The Loading Dock Cafe

Cultivate Coffee + Flowers

Capybara Coffee

I-81 Rest Area - Greene County West

I-81 Jefferson County West

Love's Travel Stop

ONE9 Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

I-81 Rest Area - Greene County East

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Tennessee Visitor Center

Cumberland County I-40 West Rest Area

Cumberland County I-40 East Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Jefferson County I-40 East Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Eco Travel Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Bay 2

Bay 4

Rest Area and Tennessee Welcome Center

Market Square

Frank Lorino Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Colonial Heights, TN

Clarksville, TN

1 hour earlier

3 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 52m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Stones River National Battlefield

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Colonial Heights, TN

Arriving in Clarksville, TN

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?