Origin
Cookeville, TN
Late night in Cookeville on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cookeville, TN to Cleveland, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
104 mi
167 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cookeville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Cookeville to Cleveland, Tennessee, you are looking at a 104-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 24 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to easily complete the drive without needing an overnight stay. Budgeting around $16 for fuel should cover your needs, making this an economical choice for transit between these two Southeast Tennessee locations. Because the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to travel at your own pace without feeling rushed. It is a straightforward connection that keeps you moving through the region efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52 miles from Cookeville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 27.1 mi | 29m |
| SR 68 | 20.1 mi | 30m |
| Rhea County Highway | 17.6 mi | 23m |
| Hiwassee Highway | 15.1 mi | 22m |
| Georgetown Road Northwest | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| North Main Street | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| East Spring Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Keith Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 27.1 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cookeville, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on South Dixie Avenue
270 ft
·
19 sec
·
South Dixie Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 70N
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East Spring Street
3
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 40
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 317
Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
6
Turn straight onto US 127
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
North Main Street
7
Continue on SR 68
20 mi
·
30 min
·
SR 68
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on Piccadilly Avenue
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Piccadilly Avenue
10
Turn right onto US 27
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Rhea County Highway
11
Turn left onto SR 378
52 ft
·
3 sec
·
Market Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on SR 60
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Hiwassee Highway
13
Continue on SR 60
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Blythe Ferry Road
14
Turn straight onto SR 60
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Hiwassee Highway
15
Continue on SR 60
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Georgetown Rd NW
16
Continue on SR 60
7.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Georgetown Road Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on TN 60
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
25th Street Northwest
18
Continue on TN 60
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
25th Street NW
19
Continue on TN 60
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
25th Street Northwest
20
Turn right onto US 11
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Keith Street
21
Turn left onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inman Street West
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic, as the mix of highway and local roads can be sensitive to congestion. Since the drive is just over two hours, you can comfortably complete it in one go without scheduling formal stops. However, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, even with the modest $16 estimated cost, to ensure you remain prepared for the full 104-mile stretch. Since the route relies on a specific sequence of I-40, SR 68, and Rhea County Highway, keep your navigation handy during the transitions between these roads. The primary advantage of this route is its brevity, so prioritize a flexible start time to maximize your day at the destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52 miles from Cookeville, TN, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.1 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cookeville, 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 Cookeville, TN
This is one driving day of about 104 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Cookeville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 27.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52 miles from Cookeville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 103.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 70N / East Spring Street
Turn left onto US 70N / East Spring Street
Navigation decision point
6
31 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 317
Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
4
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
US 27 / Rhea County Highway
Turn right onto US 27 / Rhea County Highway
Navigation decision point
6
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
SR 378 / Market Street
Turn left onto SR 378 / Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
103.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
Inman Street West
Turn left onto Inman Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.26 one way
$32.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.85 | $35.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.01 | $40.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.96 | $45.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.92 | $4.99 |
| Efficient EV | 26 | 0 | $9.10 | $4.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.56 | $6.66 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Late night in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
52 mi in
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
34 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
2h 24m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning from major thoroughfares to local roads as you head toward your destination. You will spend roughly 45% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 27.1 miles on I-40. Expect to navigate a combination of interstate travel and secondary routes, including SR 68 and Rhea County Highway. The experience behind the wheel shifts from the steady pace of the interstate to the more varied rhythm of state and local highways. This blend keeps the drive from feeling monotonous while ensuring you make consistent progress toward Cleveland.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 70N / East Spring Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 24m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 70N / East Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 31 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.6 miles (US 27 / Rhea County Highway): Navigation decision point.
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.
On the drive from Cookeville, TN to Cleveland, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Jamestown along the way.
Jamestown
31 mi in
|
~35m
About the Cities
Starting in Cookeville, TN
Full guide →Cookeville is a small city in north central Tennessee and home of Tennessee Tech University. Cookeville is the largest city in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee.
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 2h 24m. Total distance: 104 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 70N / East Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 31 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.6 miles (US 27 / Rhea County Highway): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cleveland, TN before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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