Origin
Clarksville, TN
Afternoon in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
3:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarksville, TN to East Brainerd, TN
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
188.4 mi
303 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 28m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarksville, TN
Kelly
East Brainerd, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 188.4 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Clarksville to East Brainerd is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes. Because the route is compact, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $29 for fuel, making this an economical choice for travelers moving through the Southeast. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, which keeps the navigation simple and predictable. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, the lack of required stopovers gives you the flexibility to complete the drive in one efficient push.
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
94.2 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused highway experience, as 95% of your travel occurs on high-speed roads. Your journey is anchored by a significant 174.2-mile stretch on I-24, which serves as the primary artery for the entire trip. You will begin by navigating local connectors like Madison Street and TN-76 before merging onto the interstate for the bulk of the mileage. While this is primarily a highway-focused drive, the transition from local streets to the interstate rhythm defines the character of the trip. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 174.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Madison Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.2 miles in near I 24.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 188.4 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: at 42.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.3 miles (I 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
42.2 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
9
47.3 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
7
49.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 24
Take the exit onto I 24 toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
183.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
185.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward SR 320 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward SR 320 East
Towns Along This Route
Between Clarksville, TN and East Brainerd, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Knoxville
44.5 mi in
|
~53m
|
via I 24
Chattanooga
47.3 mi in
|
~57m
|
via I 24
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 174.2 mi | 3h 15m |
| Madison Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| TN 76 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| East Brainerd Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| I 75 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Graysville Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| University Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 174.2 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and East Brainerd, TN.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Franklin Street
3
Turn right onto US 41A
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
University Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 41A; SR 76
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto TN 76
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
TN 76
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Merge onto I 24
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 24
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
9
Continue on I 24
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Exit 86
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, Knoxville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto I 24
134 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
I 24
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 75
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 3A
Toward SR 320 East
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto SR 320
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Brainerd Road
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto Graysville Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Graysville Road
17
Turn right onto Iris Drive
479 ft
·
21 sec
·
Iris Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Iris Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 40 minute drive, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the interstate. Planning for at least one stop is a smart move, especially given the lengthy 174.2-mile stretch on I-24 where consistent attention is required. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $29 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current market prices. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility, so feel free to time your break whenever you need a quick stretch. Always verify local traffic reports for I-24 before you pull out of Clarksville to ensure a smooth transition onto the highway.
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 94.2 miles from Clarksville, TN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.2 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.2 miles or 1h 50m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Brainerd, 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 188.4 miles and 3h 40m.
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 24 for about 174.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.2 mi from Clarksville, TN · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 94.2 miles from Clarksville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.2 miles.
Arriving in East Brainerd, TN
The final approach into East Brainerd, 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 East Brainerd, TN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.62 one way
$57.23 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $31.55 | $63.09 |
| premium | $4.80 | $35.57 | $71.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.86 | $83.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.78 | $9.04 |
| Efficient EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.49 | $7.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.38 | $12.06 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
East Brainerd, TN
Afternoon in East Brainerd on Sunday
Local time
4:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 40m 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 East Brainerd, TN covers 188.4 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Madison Street, TN 76. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.2 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 $28.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 188.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.3 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.3 miles (I 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clarksville, TN and East Brainerd, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and Chattanooga.
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