Origin
Clarksville, TN
Afternoon in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarksville, TN to Chapel Hill, TN
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
117.4 mi
189 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarksville, TN
Kelly
Chapel Hill, TN
Andy Staver
Trip Overview
Connecting Clarksville to Chapel Hill, this 117.4-mile journey across Tennessee is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 38 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $17 for fuel, keeping costs manageable for a quick getaway. The route traverses the Southeast, moving from one quiet corner of the state to another. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this drive offers a reliable path without the need for extensive travel planning.
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
58.7 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares like I-40, State Highway 48, and TN 22. The drive transitions between high-speed interstate travel and more localized highway segments, keeping the pace varied. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 55 miles while cruising along I-40, which allows you to settle into a comfortable rhythm behind the wheel. While the road is primarily built for efficiency, the shift from interstate lanes to state highways provides a tangible change in the driving environment. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 55 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and State Highway 48. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
33.3 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
SR 48 Alternate / Church Street
Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate / Church Street
Navigation decision point
5
42.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the ramp toward SR 48: Centerville
Navigation decision point
Exit 163
Toward SR 48: Centerville
Towns Along This Route
Between Clarksville, TN and Chapel Hill, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington and Huntingdon.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads
97.8 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Lexington
97.8 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Huntingdon
97.8 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 55 mi | 58m |
| State Highway 48 | 23.4 mi | 34m |
| TN 22 | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| Center Avenue | 9.1 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 13 | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| SR 200 | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| South Riverside Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Lexington Bypass | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 55 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Chapel Hill, TN.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
353 ft
·
11 sec
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A Bypass; SR 48
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Riverside Drive
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn straight onto TN 13; TN 48
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Drive
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on TN 13; TN 48
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 13
7
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 48
23 mi
·
34 min
·
State Highway 48
8
Turn left onto US 70 Business
332 ft
·
8 sec
·
West College Street
9
Turn right onto SR 48 Alternate
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Church Street
10
Continue on SR 48 Alternate
9.1 mi
·
16 min
·
Center Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 163
Toward SR 48: Centerville
12
Merge onto I 40
55 mi
·
58 min
·
I 40
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
14
Turn left onto SR 22
387 ft
·
5 sec
·
SR 22
15
Continue on TN 22
12 mi
·
17 min
·
TN 22
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto SR 459
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Bypass
17
Turn left onto SR 200
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
SR 200
18
Turn left onto Joe Horton Road
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Joe Horton Road
19
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 2-hour and 38-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the worst of the local traffic. Plan for at least one stop along the way to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since you will be spending the majority of your time on highways. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer interstate sections, as this helps ensure you stay within your $17 estimated budget. Because the route relies heavily on I-40 and state highways, checking for active road construction or congestion on these primary arteries before you leave is a smart move. Enjoy the simplicity of this trip by keeping your itinerary light and open.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.7 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chapel Hill, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, TN
This is one driving day of about 117.4 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clarksville, 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 55 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.7 mi from Clarksville, TN · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.7 miles from Clarksville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chapel Hill, TN
The final approach into Chapel Hill, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Chapel Hill, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.83 one way
$35.66 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.66 | $39.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $22.16 | $44.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.08 | $52.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.33 | $5.64 |
| Efficient EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.27 | $4.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47 | 0 | $16.44 | $7.51 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Chapel Hill, TN
Afternoon in Chapel Hill on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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
2h 38m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clarksville, TN to Chapel Hill, TN covers 117.4 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, State Highway 48, TN 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.7 miles from Clarksville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.83 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 41A Bypass; SR 48 / South Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clarksville, TN and Chapel Hill, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington and Huntingdon.
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