If you are planning a trip from Mount Carmel to Cleveland, Tennessee, prepare for a 244.1-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it functions best as a single-day drive. You should budget about $36 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the path is entirely contained within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar landscape throughout the transit. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, this trip requires your full attention, so plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and stay sharp behind the wheel.
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
118 miles from Mount Carmel, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m 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
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
US 641
14.1 mi
16m
Savannah Highway
12.4 mi
14m
Sewanee Highway
6.8 mi
10m
Smith Gravel Pit Road
4.5 mi
17m
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 Mount Carmel, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on Mt Carmel Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Mt Carmel Road
2
Turn sharp left onto Smith Gravel Pit Road
1.2 mi·4 min·Smith Gravel Pit Road
3
Continue on Smith Gravel Pit Road
3.3 mi·13 min·Smith Gravel Pit Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Bobs Landing Road
513 ft·22 sec·Bobs Landing Road
5
Continue on Bobs Landing Road
1.2 mi·4 min·Bobs Landing Road
6
Turn left onto US 641
14 mi·16 min·US 641
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 64
12 mi·14 min·Savannah Highway
8
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi·52 sec·Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
9
Continue on US 64
44 mi·50 min·United States Route 64
10
Continue on US 64
0.7 mi·48 sec·West College Street
11
Continue on US 64
67 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 64
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·5 sec
14
Turn straight onto US 41A
1.7 mi·2 min·Cowan Highway
15
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi·3 min·Cumberland Street West
16
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi·7 min·Sewanee Highway
17
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi·2 min·Sollace M Freeman Highway
18
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi·2 min·Sewanee Highway
19
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi·36 sec·David Crockett Highway
20
Continue on US 41A
1.3 mi·1 min·West Main Street
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
22
Merge onto I 24; US 64
51 mi·58 min·I 24;US 64
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
26
Keep slight left at fork
281 ft·9 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
27
Turn right onto US 74
1.2 mi·1 min·US 74
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
29
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.5 mi·4 min·South Lee Highway
30
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi·34 sec·Keith Street Southwest
31
Turn right onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Inman Street West
Use the right lane.
32
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 244.1-mile trek, aim to depart early in the morning to navigate the winding sections during daylight hours. Since you are limited to local roads, account for the extra time needed to maneuver through turns rather than relying on high-speed transit. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to refuel and reset, keeping your $36 fuel budget in mind as you map out your transit. Given that the route is heavy on turns, prioritize vehicle maintenance checks before you leave to ensure your tires and brakes are ready for the technical demands of Smith Gravel Pit Road and Bobs Landing Road.
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 118 miles from Mount Carmel, TN, or about 2h 33m 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 52 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118 miles or 2h 33m 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 6m
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 Mount Carmel, 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 Mount Carmel, TN
This is one driving day of about 236.1 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Mount Carmel, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 231.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~3m in|Smith Gravel Pit Road
Turn sharp left onto Smith Gravel Pit Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
5.4 mi into trip|~21m in|Bobs Landing Road
At end of road, turn left onto Bobs Landing Road
Navigation decision point
5
146.1 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
211.8 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
7
231.3 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
$34.87 one way
$69.73 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.49
$76.98
premium
$4.72
$43.84
$87.67
diesel
$4.80
$44.58
$89.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.8
0
$24.79
$11.33
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.66
$9.44
EV Truck/SUV
94.4
1
$33.05
$15.11
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Mount Carmel, TN
Late night
in Mount Carmel on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Morning
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 5 mph49% chanceLive forecast
89°F
Fayetteville, TN
118 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
4 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 59m 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?
Expect a significantly different experience than your typical interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a series of turn-heavy local roads, including Smith Gravel Pit Road, Bobs Landing Road, and Savannah Highway. This layout creates a technical, hands-on driving experience that demands constant engagement rather than the monotony of cruise control. Because the path relies on local infrastructure, the road character remains consistent and winding, requiring you to stay alert through every curve. It is a true back-roads journey that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed travel.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 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 0.9 miles in near Smith Gravel Pit Road.
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 14 significant decision points across 236.1 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 0.9 miles (Smith Gravel Pit Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 5.4 miles (Bobs Landing Road): Navigation decision point; at 146.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 4h 59m. Total distance: 236.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). 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.
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 0.9 miles (Smith Gravel Pit Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 5.4 miles (Bobs Landing Road): Navigation decision point; at 146.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Cleveland, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
