Embark on a 241.5-mile journey from Jellico to Clarksville, Tennessee, a drive that typically takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 72% of it on major roads, making it a manageable one-day trip. Expect a fuel cost of around $38 for this approximately 86.2-mile stretch on the Cumberland Parkway, which is the longest uninterrupted section. Given its manageable length and highway-centric profile, this drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traversing within the Southeast region for the entirety of this trip.
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
120.8 miles from Jellico, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
86.2 mi
1h 32m
US Route 27
26.2 mi
29m
I 65
21.4 mi
22m
Russellville Road
18.8 mi
25m
KY 92
18.5 mi
21m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
I 75
11.3 mi
12m
Clarksville Road
11 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 86.2 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jellico, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on US 25W
68 ft·8 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 25W
1.1 mi·1 min·5th Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Louisville
4
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward KY 92: Williamsburg
6
Keep slight left at fork
410 ft·12 sec
7
Turn slight left onto KY 92
19 mi·21 min·KY 92
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 27; KY 92
26 mi·29 min·US Route 27
9
Continue on US 27; KY 90
3.9 mi·4 min·Main Street
10
Turn left onto KY 914
6.0 mi·7 min·KY 914
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Bowling Green
12
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·Cumberland Parkway
13
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
0.3 mi·19 sec·Cumberland Parkway
Exit 1BToward I 65 South: Bowling Green
14
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·Cumberland Expressway
15
Merge onto I 65
21 mi·22 min·I 65
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 20A-BToward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, ScottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 20BToward I 165: Owensboro
18
Merge onto I 165
4.3 mi·4 min·I 165
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 5Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
20
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
8.2 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
22
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
23
Continue on US 68; KY 80
0.6 mi·54 sec·Bowling Green Road
24
Turn left onto KY 3240
1.8 mi·2 min·East 9th Street
25
Continue on Clarksville Road
0.4 mi·40 sec·Clarksville Road
26
Continue on US 79
0.1 mi·14 sec·West 9th Street
27
Continue on US 79
11 mi·15 min·Clarksville Road
28
Continue on US 79
11 mi·15 min·Russellville Road
29
Continue on US 79
5.3 mi·7 min·Guthrie Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on US 79
5.0 mi·8 min·Wilma Rudolph Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 79; SR 48
1.9 mi·3 min·College Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 45-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Jellico to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 241.5 miles, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 86.2-mile stretch on the Cumberland Parkway, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $38 is a helpful budget point for this predominantly highway journey. Planning your route to include a brief stop for gas and stretching before hitting I-65 can ensure a smooth continuation to Clarksville.
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 120.8 miles from Jellico, TN, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.2 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 16m 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 42m
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 Jellico, 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 Jellico, TN
This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Jellico, 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 86.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.9 and 181.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12.9 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Bowling Green
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Bowling Green
8
176.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20A-B
Toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
6
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 165: Owensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20B
Toward I 165: Owensboro
6
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Gree...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.76 one way
$75.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.45
$82.91
premium
$4.89
$46.47
$92.95
diesel
$5.61
$53.32
$106.64
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: 84.5 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
72.5
0
$25.36
$11.59
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.81
$15.46
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 15, 2026
Origin
Jellico, TN
Morning
in Jellico on Sunday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Late night
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Greensburg, KY
121 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
5 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
4h 45m 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.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a predominantly highway-focused experience, with a significant 72% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Cumberland Parkway and US Route 27 before merging onto I-65. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 86.2 miles along the Cumberland Parkway, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway, the route transitions between these different main roads, providing some variation without extensive detours. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency and steady progress towards Clarksville.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.2 mi on Cumberland Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and US Route 27. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.9 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 241.5 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 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Jellico, TN and Clarksville, TN, road signs point toward Bowling Green and Scottsville.
Bowling Green
67.6 mi in|~1h 18m
Scottsville
176.6 mi in|~3h 17m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.2 miles on Cumberland Parkway. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — 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 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Clarksville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
