South Cleveland, TN to Clarksville, TN is 209.3 miles and takes about 4h 3m via I-75 and I-24, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience for this relatively short, same-day drive. It's a straightforward journey that makes for an easy transition between two points in the state.
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
104.7 miles from South Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
173 mi
3h 14m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
Appalachian Highway
4.6 mi
5m
TN 76
3.4 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.3 mi
3m
Dalton Pike Southeast
0.4 mi
<1m
University Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 173 mi, about 3h 14m
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 South Cleveland, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on this road
123 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right
38 ft·4 sec
3
Turn right onto 18th Street Southeast
142 ft·8 sec·18th Street Southeast
4
Turn right onto Dalton Pk
0.3 mi·27 sec·Dalton Pk
5
Continue on Dalton Pike Southeast
0.4 mi·45 sec·Dalton Pike Southeast
6
Turn right
0.1 mi·21 sec
7
Turn left onto King Street Southeast
233 ft·10 sec·King Street Southeast
8
Turn right onto US 74; US 64 Bypass
4.6 mi·5 min·Appalachian Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 24
134 mi·2 hr 31 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.2 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 52AToward I 24West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 24
2.1 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 46AToward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I 24
34 mi·36 min·I 24
Exit 88Toward I 24 West: ClarksvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward TN 76
19
Keep slight left at fork
283 ft·9 sec
20
Continue on TN 76
3.4 mi·3 min·TN 76
21
Turn right onto US 41A
4.7 mi·8 min·Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 41A
0.4 mi·44 sec·University Avenue
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
0.3 mi·45 sec·College Street
24
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration and 209.3-mile length, this is a comfortable same-day trip. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by midday. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $33, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 173 miles on I-24, as services can be spaced out on interstates.
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 104.7 miles from South Cleveland, TN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.7 miles or 2h 1m 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 18m
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 South Cleveland, 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 South Cleveland, TN
This is one driving day of about 209.3 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from South Cleveland, 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 24 for about 173 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 166.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
24.1 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
9
159.3 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
161.5 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
7
166.3 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|I 24
Take the exit onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 88
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.91 one way
$61.82 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.12
$68.24
premium
$4.72
$38.86
$77.72
diesel
$4.80
$39.52
$79.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.8
0
$21.98
$10.05
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.31
$8.37
EV Truck/SUV
83.7
1
$29.30
$13.40
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
South Cleveland, TN
Morning
in South Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:18PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Morning
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 0 to 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:18PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
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
2 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 3m 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.
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 137.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the drive on interstates like I-75 and I-24. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 173 miles on I-24, offering a consistent driving pace. The majority of the journey will feel like a typical interstate drive, designed for efficient travel. Madison Street is a minor part of the route towards the end.
93% 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: 173 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 209.3 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,836 ft451 ft
Total Climb
1,876 ft
Total Descent
2,331 ft
Highest Point
1,836 ft
~74.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,385 ft
Notable High Points
1,836 ft at ~74.8 miles+838 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Cleveland, TN and Clarksville, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Louisville.
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.
Top landmarks
•Customs House Museum and Cultural Center — Clarksville, Tennessee, former customs house and former post office
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 209.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Clarksville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
