Origin
McMinnville, TN
Morning in McMinnville on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McMinnville, TN to Cleveland, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
92.5 mi
149 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McMinnville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
McMinnville, TN to Cleveland, TN is 92.5 miles and takes about 2 hours 2 minutes via US 11 and TN 8, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically traversing Tennessee for its entirety. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's ideal for a single day of travel. You'll find the route to be practical and efficient, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss. Consider this a reliable option for a quick journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.2 miles from McMinnville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 11 | 13.1 mi | 14m |
| TN 8 | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| Harrison Ferry Road | 12.3 mi | 17m |
| SR 111 | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| US 27 | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| State Highway 8 | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| TN 111 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| Dayton Pike | 4.7 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 11
— 13.1 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McMinnville, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on Walling Street
350 ft
·
19 sec
·
Walling Street
2
Turn right onto SR 380
112 ft
·
7 sec
·
Sparta Street
3
Turn left onto Durham Street
357 ft
·
16 sec
·
Durham Street
4
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Mulberry Street
5
Turn left onto East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Main Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto SR 56
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Beersheba Highway
7
Turn slight left onto TN 8
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Harrison Ferry Road
8
Continue on TN 8
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 8
9
At end of road, turn right onto TN 8; TN 111
13 mi
·
17 min
·
TN 8; TN 111
10
Continue on SR 111
11 mi
·
13 min
·
SR 111
11
Continue on TN 111
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 111
12
Merge onto US 27
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 27
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward TN 153 South: Chickamauga Dam
14
Continue on TN 153
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Dayton Pike
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 153
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
TN 153
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 4A
Toward SR 317 East
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto SR 317
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Bonny Oaks Drive
18
Take the ramp onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 11; US 64; SR 317
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US 11; US 64; SR 317
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 20
Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
21
Keep slight left at fork
281 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 20
Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
22
Turn right onto US 74
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 74
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
24
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Lee Highway
25
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Keith Street Southwest
26
Turn right onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Inman Street West
Use the right lane.
27
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Given the short 2-hour drive time, you have plenty of flexibility with departure. Leaving in the morning will get you to Cleveland, TN with ample time to spare. While there are no designated stops in the data, you'll encounter opportunities for fuel and rest along US 11 and TN 8. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before longer stretches like the 13.1 miles on US 11. The $14 fuel cost estimate suggests a relatively economical trip, so you shouldn't need to worry excessively about gas prices. Planning for a mid-day arrival in Cleveland is easily achievable.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.2 miles from McMinnville, TN, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.1 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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.2 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
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 McMinnville, 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 McMinnville, TN
This is one driving day of about 92.5 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from McMinnville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 11 for about 13.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.2 miles from McMinnville, 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 87.7 — 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
|
SR 380 / Sparta Street
Turn right onto SR 380 / Sparta Street
Navigation decision point
6
65.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
TN 153
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 153
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
70 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward SR 317 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward SR 317 East
6
74.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
US 11; US 64; SR 317
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
87.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m 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
$14.46 one way
$28.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.88 | $31.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.80 | $35.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.42 | $40.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.71 | $4.44 |
| Efficient EV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.09 | $3.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37 | 0 | $12.95 | $5.92 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Morning in Cleveland on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 2m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 71% of the journey utilizing faster roads. You'll experience stretches of consistent travel, including a longest continuous segment of 13.1 miles on US 11. While the highway portion dominates, expect some shifts in road type as you navigate through various segments. The driving experience is generally smooth and efficient, allowing for steady progress toward your destination. It’s not an overly complex drive, leaning more towards consistent movement than winding backroads.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.1 mi on US 11.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 11 and TN 8. 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 SR 380 / Sparta Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 92.5 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 0.1 miles (SR 380 / Sparta Street): Navigation decision point; at 65.9 miles (TN 153): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Cleveland, TN
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 92.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.1 miles on US 11. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. 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 (SR 380 / Sparta Street): Navigation decision point; at 65.9 miles (TN 153): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cleveland, TN before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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