Spanning 330.1 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Ripley to Cleveland is a significant journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel. Because the route relies entirely on local roads like South Main Street, Highland Avenue, and Eastland Avenue rather than interstates, it is best suited for a single, focused day of driving. You should budget about $49 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. While the trip is manageable in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the route means you will need to stay alert throughout the journey. It is a practical choice if you prefer local scenery over highway speed, but be prepared for a steady, hands-on driving experience from start to finish.
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
163.7 miles from Ripley, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
110.2 mi
1h 58m
I 24
110 mi
2h 3m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
TN 19
15.7 mi
23m
East Main Street
9.7 mi
14m
South Lee Highway
2.5 mi
4m
US 74
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 110.2 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on East Washington Street
62 ft·8 sec·East Washington Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·South Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Highland Avenue
4
Turn left onto Eastland Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·Eastland Avenue
5
Turn left onto TN 19
16 mi·23 min·TN 19
6
Turn left onto Haralson Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Haralson Street
Use the left lane.
7
At end of road, turn left onto TN 54
0.9 mi·1 min·West Main Street
8
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
392 ft·7 sec·East Main Street
9
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi·14 min·East Main Street
10
Turn left
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 66Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
11
Merge onto I 40
110 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
13
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 24
110 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
19
Keep slight left at fork
281 ft·9 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
20
Turn right onto US 74
1.2 mi·1 min·US 74
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
22
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.5 mi·4 min·South Lee Highway
23
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi·34 sec·Keith Street Southwest
24
Turn right onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Inman Street West
Use the right lane.
25
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy drive, planning your departure early in the morning is essential to ensure you complete the 330.1-mile journey during daylight hours. You have the flexibility of a one-day trip, but make sure to utilize your one planned stop effectively to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $49 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency on local roads. Because the route lacks high-speed highway stretches, your pace will be dictated by local traffic and navigation, so build in a buffer for your arrival time in Cleveland. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before leaving, as the constant turning will put more physical demand on your vehicle than a standard interstate commute.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.7 miles from Ripley, TN, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 72 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.7 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 7m
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 Ripley, 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 Ripley, TN
This is one driving day of about 327.4 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Ripley, 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 I 40 for about 110.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 322.6 — 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|South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Highland Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Highland Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
192.4 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
303.2 mi into trip|~5h 47m 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
322.6 mi into trip|~6h 10m 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
$51.19 one way
$102.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$56.20
$112.40
premium
$4.89
$63.01
$126.01
diesel
$5.61
$72.29
$144.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.2
1
$34.38
$15.72
Efficient EV
81.9
0
$28.65
$13.10
EV Truck/SUV
131
1
$45.84
$20.95
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Ripley, TN
Late night
in Ripley on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Morning
in Cleveland on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 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
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
6h 18m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 191.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly engaging, turn-heavy experience as you navigate this route entirely on local roads. With a 0% highway share, this trip avoids the monotony of interstate travel, replacing it with a more technical drive that requires your full attention. You will find that there is no single long, straight stretch to zone out on, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on South Main Street. The road's personality is defined by constant transitions through local corridors, making it feel less like a sprint and more like a deliberate traversal of the state. Stay prepared for frequent maneuvers as you transition between Highland and Eastland Avenues.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 327.4 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 (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Highland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 192.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ripley, TN to Cleveland, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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 6h 18m. Total distance: 327.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.2 miles on I 40. 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: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Highland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 192.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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.
