Covington to Cleveland is 330.3 miles and takes about 6h 21m via I 40 and I 24, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll primarily be on major interstates for this trip, making it a straightforward transit. With a recommended one-day drive, it’s a good option if you need to get from the western part of the state to the eastern side without much fuss. Consider this a functional route for covering ground efficiently.
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
165.1 miles from Covington, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
110.2 mi
1h 58m
I 24
110 mi
2h 3m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
State Route 54
21.7 mi
32m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
East Main Street
9.7 mi
14m
South Lee Highway
2.5 mi
4m
US 74
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 110.2 mi, about 1h 58m
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 Covington, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on West Court Square
183 ft·9 sec·West Court Square
2
Turn left onto TN 54
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Pleasant Avenue
3
Turn left onto TN 54
302 ft·7 sec·South Maple Street
4
Turn right onto TN 54
0.4 mi·33 sec·East Liberty Avenue
5
Continue on TN 54
22 mi·32 min·State Route 54
6
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
392 ft·7 sec·East Main Street
7
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi·14 min·East Main Street
8
Turn left
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 66Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
9
Merge onto I 40
110 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
11
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 24
110 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
17
Keep slight left at fork
281 ft·9 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
18
Turn right onto US 74
1.2 mi·1 min·US 74
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
20
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.5 mi·4 min·South Lee Highway
21
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi·34 sec·Keith Street Southwest
22
Turn right onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Inman Street West
Use the right lane.
23
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Given this route takes just over 6 hours, you can easily complete it in one day. Aim to leave in the morning to allow for a comfortable pace and potential for a brief stop. The longest stretch without an exit is over 110 miles on I 40, so ensure you have adequate fuel before entering that segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $55, plan your refueling stops accordingly. This is a direct route, so you have flexibility in timing your departure.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.1 miles from Covington, TN, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 73 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.1 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 10m
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 Covington, 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 Covington, TN
This is one driving day of about 330.3 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Covington, 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 110.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 325.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|TN 54 / South Maple Street
Turn left onto TN 54 / South Maple Street
Navigation decision point
5
32 mi into trip|~47m in
Turn left toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
Navigation decision point
Exit 66
Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
7
195.3 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
306 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
7
325.5 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20
Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.78 one way
$97.56 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$53.85
$107.70
premium
$4.72
$61.33
$122.65
diesel
$4.80
$62.37
$124.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.1
1
$34.68
$15.85
Efficient EV
82.6
0
$28.90
$13.21
EV Truck/SUV
132.1
1
$46.24
$21.14
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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 17, 2026
Origin
Covington, TN
Morning
in Covington on Sunday
Local time
11:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Afternoon
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 0 to 5 mph58% chanceLive 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
6h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 193.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is almost entirely an interstate drive, with 95% of the 330.3 miles on highways like I 40 and I 24. You'll experience a long stretch of 110.2 miles on I 40 without needing to exit. The Tennessee National Guard Parkway is a short segment, likely a transition between major routes. Expect considerable highway mileage, which means frequent exits and entrances as you navigate through Tennessee.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near TN 54 / South Maple Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 330.3 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 0.1 miles (TN 54 / South Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles: Navigation decision point; at 195.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,257 ft330 ft
Total Climb
1,383 ft
Total Descent
854 ft
Highest Point
1,257 ft
~261.4 mi in
Elevation Range
927 ft
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 Covington, TN to Cleveland, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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 6h 21m. Total distance: 330.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.2 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 Cleveland, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (TN 54 / South Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles: Navigation decision point; at 195.3 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cleveland, TN before the return drive.
