Spanning 323.6 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Union City to Cleveland typically takes about 6 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. Because the journey is entirely within the Southeast region, you will find the transition between these two cities straightforward and well-connected. A single day is sufficient to complete the drive, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip for most travelers. You should budget approximately $49 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the route is heavily focused on major thoroughfares, it is a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency over backroad exploration. Whether you are traveling for business or a visit, knowing the route remains within state lines helps keep your planning simple and predictable.
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
161.8 miles from Union City, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
110 mi
2h 3m
I 40
68 mi
1h 12m
TN 22
58.6 mi
1h 13m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
I 75
18.4 mi
22m
South Lee Highway
2.5 mi
4m
SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi
3m
Lexington Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 110 mi, about 2h 3m
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 Union City, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on East Church Street
74 ft·7 sec·East Church Street
2
Turn right onto TN 5; TN 21
0.1 mi·20 sec·South 1st Street
3
Continue on SR 21
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
4
Turn straight onto SR 214
1.9 mi·3 min·Nailling Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward TN 22 South
6
Merge onto TN 22
15 mi·16 min·TN 22
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 22
31 mi·41 min·TN 22
Toward TN 22 South: Dresden
8
Continue on SR 22 Business
390 ft·9 sec·SR 22 Business
9
Turn right onto US 70A
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Drive North
10
Turn left onto SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi·3 min·SR 22 Bypass
11
Turn right onto Lexington Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Lexington Street
12
Turn right onto TN 22
6.5 mi·8 min·TN 22
13
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lexington Clarksburg Road
14
Continue on TN 22
5.4 mi·7 min·TN 22
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
16
Merge onto I 40
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 40
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
18
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 24
110 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 75
18 mi·22 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
24
Keep slight left at fork
281 ft·9 sec
Exit 20Toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
25
Turn right onto US 74
1.2 mi·1 min·US 74
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
27
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
2.5 mi·4 min·South Lee Highway
28
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi·34 sec·Keith Street Southwest
29
Turn right onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Inman Street West
Use the right lane.
30
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
To keep your 6-hour and 17-minute drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the majority of your travel occurs on major interstates, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion near urban intersections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that 110-mile stretch on I-24, as finding a convenient station can be trickier once you are deep into the interstate flow. Because this is a one-day trip, maintaining a steady pace without rushing will help you arrive in Cleveland feeling energized. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use your single planned stop strategically to break up the monotony of the long highway segments.
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 161.8 miles from Union City, TN, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110 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 71 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.8 miles or 3h 11m 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 Union City, 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 Union City, TN
This is one driving day of about 323.6 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Union City, 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 110 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 318.8 — 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|TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street
Turn right onto TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street
Navigation decision point
7
67.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexing...
7
188.5 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
299.3 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
318.8 mi into trip|~6h 9m 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
$47.79 one way
$95.58 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.76
$105.51
premium
$4.72
$60.08
$120.17
diesel
$4.80
$61.10
$122.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.1
1
$33.98
$15.53
Efficient EV
80.9
0
$28.32
$12.94
EV Truck/SUV
129.4
1
$45.30
$20.71
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Union City, TN
Late night
in Union City on Sunday
Local time
4:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Late night
in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 0 to 5 mph58% chanceLive 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 17m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 189.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused journey, as 96% of your time will be spent on major roads. Your route utilizes a combination of TN 22, I-40, and I-24 to bridge the distance between Union City and Cleveland. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 110 miles on I-24, which requires steady focus and endurance. The personality of this drive is utilitarian, favoring speed and interstate connectivity over winding local paths. As you transition between these highways, the road maintains a consistent, fast-paced rhythm that allows you to cover significant ground throughout the afternoon.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 323.6 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 (TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 67.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,097 ft337 ft
Total Climb
1,201 ft
Total Descent
678 ft
Highest Point
1,097 ft
~231.1 mi in
Elevation Range
760 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union City, TN and Cleveland, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon and Franklin.
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 17m. Total distance: 323.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 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. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TN 5; TN 21 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 67.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.5 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.
