Origin
Elizabethton, TN
Late night in Elizabethton on Sunday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabethton, 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
3h 44m
Distance
197.2 mi
317 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 32m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabethton, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Elizabethton, TN to Cleveland, TN is 197.2 miles and takes about 3h 44m via I-81 and I-75, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward, highway-focused drive keeps you within the Southeast region for the entire journey, traveling from one part of Tennessee to another. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without much fuss. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, making it ideal for a single-day transit.
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
98.6 miles from Elizabethton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 59.9 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 81 | 57.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 40 | 52.8 mi | 59m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 15.1 mi | 18m |
| West Elk Avenue | 7.4 mi | 12m |
| Keith Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 25th Street NW | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Broad Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethton, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on this road
32 ft
·
1 sec
·
this road
2
Continue on East Elk Avenue
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
East Elk Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Riverside Drive
286 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Riverside Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on East E Street
445 ft
·
23 sec
·
East E Street
5
Turn right onto North Sycamore Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Sycamore Street
6
Turn left onto US 321; SR 67
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
7
Continue on US 321; SR 67
7.4 mi
·
12 min
·
West Elk Avenue
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
9
Merge onto I 26; US 19W; US 23
15 mi
·
18 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
11
Merge onto I 81
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
12
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
13
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward SR 60: Cleveland, Dayton
16
Turn right onto TN 60
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Georgetown Road Northwest
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
Given the 3h 44m estimated drive time, leaving Elizabethton, TN in the morning allows ample time to reach Cleveland, TN before evening. You'll encounter just one major highway switch as you transition from I-81 to I-75, so plan your stop around that point if you need to stretch your legs or refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, it's wise to check your fuel gauge before departing and consider topping off before the longest 59.9-mile stretch on I-75 to ensure a smooth continuation.
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 98.6 miles from Elizabethton, TN, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 43 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.6 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
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 Elizabethton, 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 Elizabethton, TN
This is one driving day of about 197.2 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Elizabethton, 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 75 for about 59.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.6 miles from Elizabethton, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 196.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Riverside Drive
Turn right onto North Riverside Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Sycamore Street
Turn right onto North Sycamore Street
Navigation decision point
5
23.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South: Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 8A
Toward I 81 South: Knoxville
5
81.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
196.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
|
Inman Street West
Turn left onto Inman Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.83 one way
$61.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.85 | $67.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.95 | $75.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.54 | $87.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.71 | $9.47 |
| Efficient EV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.26 | $7.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.9 | 0 | $27.61 | $12.62 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 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
3h 44m 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.
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 95.2
Park Closure: Seasonal road closures
Park Closure: Abrams Falls Trail Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey on major interstates like I-81 and I-75. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 59.9 miles on I-75 without significant interruptions. The character of the drive is largely defined by this interstate travel, offering a predictable and efficient path across the landscape. While not particularly winding or technically demanding, it prioritizes covering distance quickly.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 81. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Riverside Drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 197.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (North Sycamore Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 197.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.9 miles on I 75. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (North Sycamore Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Cleveland, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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