Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
160.6 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarksville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Grimsley, TN
Mike Fox
This 160.6-mile drive from Clarksville, TN to Grimsley, TN can be comfortably completed in about 3 hours and 9 minutes, making it an ideal one-day road trip. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the journey on major roads, including I-24 and I-40. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this trip offers an economical way to travel within the Southeast region. You'll experience a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single day's adventure, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
80.3 miles from Clarksville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 160.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a drive that's primarily on the interstate, with 82% of the 160.6 miles utilizing major highways like I-24 and I-40. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans an impressive 119 miles on I-24, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway-focused, the route transitions to Clarkrange Highway as you approach your destination, introducing a change in scenery and road type. This blend means you'll cover a lot of ground efficiently before a more localized final approach.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Clarkrange Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.7 miles (US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 41A; SR 76 / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Continue onto I 24 toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, Knoxville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clarksville, TN and Grimsley, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, Chattanooga, Primary Sr 84: Monterey and Livingston.
Knoxville
Chattanooga
Primary Sr 84: Monterey
Livingston
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 119 mi | 2h 9m |
| Clarkrange Highway | 14.8 mi | 22m |
| I 40 | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| South York Highway | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Madison Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| TN 76 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| East Commercial Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Holly Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TN and Grimsley, TN.
Start on North 2nd Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Turn right onto US 41A
Turn left onto US 41A; SR 76
Turn left onto TN 76
Take the exit
Merge onto I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
Continue on I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
Continue on I 40
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
Turn right onto SR 62
Turn straight onto SR 62
Turn left onto US 127
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour duration, departing Clarksville in the morning will allow you to reach Grimsley with plenty of daylight remaining. The estimated fuel cost is $25, so ensure your tank is full before setting off, especially as the longest stretch is 119 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, be mindful of rest areas on I-24 for stretching your legs. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, but planning around potential traffic on I-24 is always a good idea.
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.
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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grimsley, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 160.6 miles and 3h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.3 mi from Clarksville, TN · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 80.3 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 119 miles.
The final approach into Grimsley, 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 Grimsley, 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.
Regular Gas
$25.11 one way
$50.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.57 | $55.14 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.91 | $61.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.46 | $70.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.86 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.05 | $6.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.48 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Clarksville on Thursday
Local time
5:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Grimsley on Thursday
Local time
5:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
76°F
Alexandria, TN
80 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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