Trip from Cleveland, TN to Alcoa, TN

Drive Time

1h 37m

Distance

81.2 mi

131 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Alcoa, TN, TN

Alcoa, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Traveling from Cleveland to Alcoa covers 81.2 miles across the Tennessee Southeast, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 37 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a quick day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to complete the one-way trip. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, keeping travel time predictable for your schedule. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this efficient transit path keeps your time on the road minimal. It is an ideal connection for those looking to traverse this part of the state without complex navigation.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

40.6 miles from Cleveland, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 88% of the route spent on fast-moving roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-75, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 51 miles, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. As you transition off the interstate, the route utilizes Lamar Alexander Parkway and SR 324 to guide you into Alcoa. Expect a consistent experience that prioritizes speed over technical maneuvering. The road's personality is functional and direct, moving you reliably through the landscape without the need for constant course corrections or slow-paced local navigation.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 51 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lamar Alexander Parkway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 11 / Keith Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.4 miles (US 11 / Keith Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 11 / Keith Street

Turn right onto US 11 / Keith Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

5
3.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
54.2 mi into trip | ~1h in

Take the exit toward SR 324

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 76 Toward SR 324
5
79.1 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 51 mi 54m
Lamar Alexander Parkway 17.5 mi 20m
SR 324 2 mi 3m
East Lee Highway 1.9 mi 2m
West Broadway Street 1.8 mi 3m
Keith Street 1.5 mi 2m
US 129 0.8 mi 1m
East Edison Street 0.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 51 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, TN and Alcoa, TN.

1

Start on US 64

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Inman Street West
2

Turn right onto US 11

1.5 mi · 2 min · Keith Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto TN 60

0.3 mi · 35 sec · 25th Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on TN 60

0.6 mi · 58 sec · 25th Street NW
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on TN 60

0.2 mi · 18 sec · 25th Street Northwest
Use the none lane.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
7

Merge onto I 75

51 mi · 54 min · I 75
Use the none lane.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 40 sec
Exit 76 Toward SR 324
9

Turn straight onto SR 324

2.0 mi · 3 min · SR 324
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 11

1.9 mi · 2 min · East Lee Highway
11

Continue on US 11

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Broadway Street
12

Turn right onto US 321

18 mi · 20 min · Lamar Alexander Parkway
13

Turn left onto Foothills Mall Drive

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Foothills Mall Drive
14

Turn left onto US 129

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 129
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
16

Keep slight right at fork

483 ft · 13 sec
17

Turn straight onto West Bessemer Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Bessemer Street
18

Turn left onto TN 35

0.5 mi · 51 sec · North Hall Road
19

Turn right onto East Edison Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · East Edison Street
20

Continue on Springbrook Road

40 ft · 1 sec · Springbrook Road
21

Arrive at destination

Springbrook Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows without worrying about complex pacing. Given the high highway percentage, keep a close eye on traffic flow, especially when merging onto I-75 for that primary 51-mile leg. You won't need to plan for formal stops to break up the drive, but having your $12 fuel budget ready before you head out will ensure a smooth start. If you want to avoid peak congestion, try to time your departure to miss typical morning or evening commuter rushes. Focus on maintaining a steady pace, as the transition from the interstate to the local parkway and SR 324 will require you to adjust your speed accordingly.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.6 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51 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 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 40.6 miles or 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alcoa, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving 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 Cleveland, TN

This is one driving day of about 81.2 miles and 1h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cleveland, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 51 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 40.6 mi from Cleveland, TN · 45m into the drive

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

41 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

Knoxville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.6 miles from Cleveland, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Alcoa, TN

The final approach into Alcoa, 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 Alcoa, 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

$12.33 one way

$24.67 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $13.60 $27.19
premium $4.80 $15.33 $30.66
diesel $5.64 $18.04 $36.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.4 0 $8.53 $3.90
Efficient EV 20.3 0 $7.10 $3.25
EV Truck/SUV 32.5 0 $11.37 $5.20

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (64% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Cleveland, TN

Night in Cleveland on Sunday

Local time

9:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alcoa, TN

Night in Alcoa on Sunday

Local time

9:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

41 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

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 37m 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 Cleveland, TN to Alcoa, TN covers 81.2 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Lamar Alexander Parkway, SR 324. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.6 miles from Cleveland, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.33 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.4 miles (US 11 / Keith Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cleveland, TN to Alcoa, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Alcoa, TN to Cleveland, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

75.5 mi 1h 36m

Explore more options from Cleveland, TN or browse trips ending in Alcoa, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

Explore maps for Cleveland, TN or Alcoa, TN on MapSof.net.