Origin
Ridgely, TN
Late night in Ridgely on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ridgely, TN to Clarksville, 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
3h 17m
Distance
144.1 mi
232 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ridgely, TN
Kelly
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 144.1-mile drive from Ridgely, TN to Clarksville, TN is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 17 minutes. You'll primarily be navigating local roads, with Main Street and Austin Peay Memorial Highway being key segments. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, this trip offers an economical way to travel within the Southeast region. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it more of an engaging local journey than a high-speed interstate cruise. Plan for about one stop along the way to break up the drive. Overall, it's a straightforward, pleasant drive perfect for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72 miles from Ridgely, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | 28.1 mi | 34m |
| Austin Peay Memorial Highway | 25.1 mi | 28m |
| Paris Highway | 23.3 mi | 34m |
| State Route 22 | 19.5 mi | 29m |
| Section Line Road | 15.6 mi | 16m |
| TN 22 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| US 51 | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| State Route 78 | 3.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Main Street
— 28.1 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgely, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on this road
61 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Depot Street
155 ft
·
6 sec
·
Depot Street
3
Turn right onto South Main Street
211 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Turn left onto Poplar Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Poplar Street
5
Turn left onto TN 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Headden Drive
6
Continue on TN 78
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Route 78
7
Turn right onto Lower Wynnburg Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lower Wynnburg Road
8
Continue on Wynnburg-Keefe Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wynnburg-Keefe Road
9
Continue on Wynnburg-Keefe Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Wynnburg-Keefe Road
10
Continue on Wynnburg Keefe Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Wynnburg Keefe Road
11
Turn left onto Bluebank Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Bluebank Road
12
Turn right onto TN 21; TN 22
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 21
13
Turn left onto TN 22
20 mi
·
29 min
·
State Route 22
14
Continue on TN 22
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Drive
15
Continue on TN 5; TN 22
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
16
Turn left onto US 51; TN 22
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 51; TN 22
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit onto TN 22
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
TN 22
Toward US 45W South, TN 22 South
18
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 22
340 ft
·
8 sec
·
TN 22
Toward US 45W South, TN 22 South
19
Merge onto US 45W; TN 22
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Section Line Road
20
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 22
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
TN 22
Toward TN 22 South: Dresden
21
Turn left onto SR 239
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pikeview Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto TN 54; TN 89
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Pikeview Street
23
Turn right onto TN 54; TN 89
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
24
Continue on TN 54; TN 217
23 mi
·
34 min
·
Paris Highway
25
Continue on US 79
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Austin Peay Memorial Highway
26
Continue on US 79
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Fort Donelson Parkway
27
Continue on US 79
0.6 mi
·
37 sec
·
Austin Peay Memorial Highway
28
Continue on US 79
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Lake Highway
29
Continue on US 79
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Donelson Parkway
30
Continue on US 79
28 mi
·
34 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Merge onto US 41A; US 79
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Fort Campbell Boulevard
32
Continue on US 41A; US 79
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Providence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on US 41A; US 79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2nd Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
34
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Since this 3-hour and 17-minute drive is well within a single day's capacity, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Clarksville with plenty of daylight. With a total distance of 144.1 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $23, you won't need extensive planning for refueling. The "turn-heavy local drive" profile means staying alert and paying attention to navigation is key; consider downloading offline maps just in case. While there's only one recommended stop, feel free to pull over if you need a break, especially during the 28.1-mile stretch on Main Street.
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 72 miles from Ridgely, TN, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.1 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 32 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
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 Ridgely, 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 Ridgely, TN
This is one driving day of about 144.1 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Ridgely, 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 Main Street for about 28.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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
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 and 54 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Depot Street
Turn right onto Depot Street
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
38 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
TN 22
Take the exit onto TN 22 toward US 45W South, TN 22 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45W South, TN 22 South
7
38.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
TN 22
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 22 toward US 45W South, TN 22 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45W South, TN 22 South
5
54 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
TN 22
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 22 toward TN 22 South: Dresden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward TN 22 South: Dresden
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.53 one way
$45.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.74 | $49.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.73 | $55.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.82 | $63.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.13 | $6.92 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.17 | $9.22 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Clarksville, TN
Late night in Clarksville on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Paris, TN
72 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 17m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 109.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for most of this 144.1-mile journey. Only about 25% of the route involves highways, so much of your time will be spent on roads with more frequent intersections and changes in direction. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.1 miles on Main Street, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before you're back to navigating local thoroughfares. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively engaged with the road, rather than a monotonous interstate experience.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.1 mi on Main Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Depot Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 144.1 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: near the start (Depot Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 38 miles (TN 22): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Clarksville, TN
Full guide →Clarksville is the county seat of Montgomery County, in Central Tennessee. Founded in 1784, Clarksville is one of the south's most historic cities. Today, visitors can experience that history through memorable attractions, unique historic architecture and a variety of annual festivals and events. Steeped in history, Clarksville began as a settlement along the banks of the Cumberland and Red Rivers by Revolutionary War hero John Montgomery in the early 1780s. In 1785, Clarksville became Tennessee's first incorporated city.
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 3h 17m. Total distance: 144.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.1 miles on Main Street. 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: near the start (Depot Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 38 miles (TN 22): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Donelson National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Clarksville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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