Henderson, TN to Cleveland, TN is 267.9 miles and takes about 5h 31m via US 64 and I-24, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Tennessee, moving from the western part of the state to the eastern side. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a route built for covering ground efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel, as the estimated duration comfortably fits within daylight hours. This trip is best suited for those prioritizing a direct connection between these two points.
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
134 miles from Henderson, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
66.8 mi
1h 17m
I 24
50.5 mi
58m
United States Route 64
44.4 mi
50m
TN 100
26 mi
38m
US 641
21.9 mi
24m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
Savannah Highway
12.4 mi
14m
Sewanee Highway
6.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 17m
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 Henderson, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on North Washington Avenue
61 ft·10 sec·North Washington Avenue
2
Turn left onto SR 365
2.0 mi·3 min·East Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto TN 100
26 mi·38 min·TN 100
4
Turn right onto Crawford School Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Crawford School Road
5
Turn left onto Stage Road
0.7 mi·2 min·Stage Road
6
Turn right onto Brooksie Thompson Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Brooksie Thompson Road
7
Turn left onto SR 202
527 ft·12 sec·Brooksie Access
8
Turn right onto US 641
22 mi·24 min·US 641
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 64
12 mi·14 min·Savannah Highway
10
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·52 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
11
Continue on US 64
44 mi·50 min·United States Route 64
12
Continue on US 64
0.7 mi·48 sec·West College Street
13
Continue on US 64
67 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 64
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
15
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·5 sec
16
Turn straight onto US 41A
1.7 mi·2 min·Cowan Highway
17
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi·3 min·Cumberland Street West
18
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi·7 min·Sewanee Highway
19
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi·2 min·Sollace M Freeman Highway
20
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi·2 min·Sewanee Highway
21
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi·36 sec·David Crockett Highway
22
Continue on US 41A
1.3 mi·1 min·West Main Street
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
24
Merge onto I 24; US 64
51 mi·58 min·I 24;US 64
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
28
Keep slight left at fork
281 ft·9 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
29
Turn right onto US 74
1.2 mi·1 min·US 74
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
31
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.5 mi·4 min·South Lee Highway
32
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi·34 sec·Keith Street Southwest
33
Turn right onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Inman Street West
Use the right lane.
34
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 31-minute drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Henderson is advisable to ensure you arrive in Cleveland with plenty of daylight. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, but feel free to take additional breaks as needed, especially during the 66.8-mile stretch on US 64. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $42, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, particularly before heading onto longer highway segments. This is a drive you can easily complete in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 134 miles from Henderson, TN, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 59 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 48m 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 32m
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 Henderson, 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 Henderson, TN
This is one driving day of about 267.9 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Henderson, 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 US 64 for about 66.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 177.9 and 263.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
177.9 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
243.7 mi into trip|~5h 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
5
244.6 mi into trip|~5h 2m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
263 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 20
Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
7
263.2 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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
$39.56 one way
$79.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.68
$87.35
premium
$4.72
$49.74
$99.48
diesel
$4.80
$50.58
$101.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.13
$12.86
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.44
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Henderson, TN
Late night
in Henderson on Sunday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Late night
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
89°F
Fayetteville, TN
134 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
1 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 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 86% of the drive on major roads like US 64 and I-24. You'll experience a longest stretch of 66.8 miles on US 64 before transitioning to I-24. Expect a relatively consistent driving experience for much of the trip, with the potential for increased traffic and more frequent exits as you approach urban areas. The majority of the drive will feel like cruising on a well-maintained interstate or a major US highway.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 177.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 267.9 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 177.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 243.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5h 31m. Total distance: 267.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 177.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 243.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
