This 240.2-mile drive from Fincastle to Clarksville, Tennessee, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 48 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40 and I-24, with a segment on Harriman Highway, it's a highway-focused journey across the Southeast region. You can expect to spend around $38 on fuel for this trip. With one recommended stop, this route offers a straightforward path connecting two points within Tennessee, making it a manageable and efficient travel day.
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
120.1 miles from Fincastle, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
136.6 mi
2h 27m
I 24
36.4 mi
40m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Frost Bottom Road
7.1 mi
12m
US 25W
5.7 mi
6m
Briceville Highway
5.3 mi
9m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fincastle, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on Glade Springs Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Glade Springs Road
2
Turn left onto SR 63
2.8 mi·3 min·General Carl W Stiner Highway
3
Continue on SR 63
2.6 mi·3 min·East Central Avenue
4
Continue on US 25W; SR 63
0.3 mi·19 sec·Jackson Pike
5
Continue on US 25W; SR 63
3.3 mi·5 min·Jacksboro Pike
6
Continue on US 25W; TN 63
3.8 mi·4 min·West Central Avenue
7
Continue on US 25W; TN 63
0.1 mi·8 sec·Royal Blue Road
8
Take the exit onto US 25W
5.7 mi·6 min·US 25W
Toward Knoxville
9
Take the exit onto I 75; US 25W
0.2 mi·25 sec·I 75; US 25W
Toward US 25W South: Rocky Top, Lake City
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75; US 25W
241 ft·5 sec·I 75; US 25W
11
Turn slight right onto US 25W; SR 116
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
12
Turn right onto SR 116
3.8 mi·9 min·Creek Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto SR 116
234 ft·7 sec·Briceville Highway
14
Continue on SR 116
5.2 mi·9 min·Briceville Highway
15
Continue on SR 330
166 ft·3 sec·Briceville Highway
16
Continue on SR 330
7.1 mi·12 min·Frost Bottom Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
0.4 mi·43 sec·Dutch Valley Road
18
Continue on SR 330
0.5 mi·1 min·Walden Avenue
19
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 330
0.6 mi·1 min·East Spring Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto SR 330
0.1 mi·14 sec·Main Street
21
Continue on SR 330
0.2 mi·24 sec·Railroad Avenue
22
Turn right onto SR 330
447 ft·11 sec·Winter Gap Road
23
Turn left onto SR 61
1.2 mi·1 min·East Tri County Boulevard
24
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
25
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
26
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
27
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
28
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
29
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
30
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
33
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 24
2.1 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 46AToward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
35
Take the exit onto I 24
34 mi·36 min·I 24
Exit 88Toward I 24 West: ClarksvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward TN 76
37
Keep slight left at fork
283 ft·9 sec
38
Continue on TN 76
3.4 mi·3 min·TN 76
39
Turn right onto US 41A
4.7 mi·8 min·Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
40
Turn right onto US 41A
0.4 mi·44 sec·University Avenue
41
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
0.3 mi·45 sec·College Street
42
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
43
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 48-minute duration, this trip is easily accomplished in one day. To make the most of your drive, consider departing Fincastle in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With one recommended stop, plan it strategically for a meal or a break about halfway through your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 136.6-mile stretch on I-40, as services can be spaced out on long interstate segments.
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 120.1 miles from Fincastle, TN, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.6 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 53 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 31m 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 56m
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 Fincastle, 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 Fincastle, TN
This is one driving day of about 240.2 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Fincastle, 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 136.6 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 234.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.9 mi into trip|~24m in|I 75; US 25W
Take the exit onto I 75; US 25W toward US 25W South: Rocky Top, Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 25W South: Rocky Top, Lake City
9
190.2 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
9
192.3 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
7
197.1 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
6
234.8 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
$37.55 one way
$75.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.23
$82.46
premium
$4.89
$46.22
$92.45
diesel
$5.61
$53.03
$106.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.22
$11.53
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.02
$9.61
EV Truck/SUV
96.1
1
$33.63
$15.37
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Fincastle, TN
Morning
in Fincastle on Sunday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Late night
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Spring City, TN
120 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
28 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
4h 48m 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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 173.9
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 76% of the drive on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 136.6 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely interstate, the inclusion of Harriman Highway offers a slight variation in the driving experience. This route is best characterized as a functional drive, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B efficiently on well-maintained roads.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 18.9 miles in near I 75; US 25W.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 240.2 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 18.9 miles (I 75; US 25W): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Fincastle, TN and Clarksville, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Lake City and Louisville.
Knoxville
13.3 mi in|~17m|via US 25W
Lake City
18.9 mi in|~24m|via I 75; US 25W
Louisville
192.3 mi in|~3h 50m|via I 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 240.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.9 miles (I 75; US 25W): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Clarksville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
