Trip from Cleveland, TN to Collegedale, TN

Drive Time

25m

Distance

17 mi

27 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 6 min
4 AM
0h 23m ★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 24m

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

Downtown Collegedale, TN, TN

Collegedale, TN

Davide Comunian

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick, straightforward trip in Southeast Tennessee, the 17-mile drive from Cleveland to Collegedale is an ideal choice. You can easily complete this journey in about 25 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion. With fuel costs estimated at just $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly route that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize a combination of I-75, South Lee Highway, and Main Street to navigate between these two locations. Whether you are commuting or just passing through, the short distance ensures you spend minimal time on the road while staying within the same region.

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

8.5 miles from Cleveland, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions from faster interstate travel to local thoroughfares. About 56% of your journey takes place on the highway, specifically utilizing an 8.3-mile stretch on I-75, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. As you exit the interstate and transition onto South Lee Highway and Main Street, the pace shifts to reflect more local traffic patterns. You will experience a blend of high-speed transit and standard surface streets, providing a balanced feel behind the wheel. Expect a functional, direct experience that moves you efficiently through the landscape.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 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 8.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 17 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: near the start (US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest

Turn left onto US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest

Navigation decision point

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest

Turn right onto US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
6
13.2 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward US 11 North, US 64 East: Collegedale, Ooltewah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 11 Toward US 11 North, US 64 East: Collegedale, Oo...
6
13.6 mi into trip | ~18m in | Lee Highway

Turn left onto Lee Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Cleveland, TN to Collegedale, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Ooltewah along the way.

Ooltewah

13.2 mi in | ~17m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 8.3 mi 9m
South Lee Highway 2.4 mi 3m
Main Street 1.7 mi 3m
US 74 1.3 mi 1m
Apison Pike 1.1 mi 2m
Lee Highway 0.9 mi 1m
3rd Street Southwest 0.2 mi <1m
Broad Street Southwest 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 8.3 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 64

68 ft · 9 sec · Inman Street West
2

Turn left onto US 64; US 11 Business

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Broad Street Southwest
3

Turn right onto US 64; US 11 Business

0.2 mi · 23 sec · 3rd Street Southwest
Use the right lane.
4

Continue on US 64; US 11 Business

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Lee Highway
5

Turn left onto US 11; US 64

2.4 mi · 3 min · South Lee Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
7

Merge onto US 74

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 74
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Merge onto I 75

8.3 mi · 9 min · I 75
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 11 Toward US 11 North, US 64 East: Collegedale, Ooltewah
11

Turn left onto Lee Highway

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lee Highway
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right onto SR 321

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street
13

Turn left onto SR 317

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Apison Pike
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on SR 317

0.8 mi · 1 min · Apison Pike
15

Turn right onto Colcord Drive

70 ft · 3 sec · Colcord Drive
16

Arrive at destination

Colcord Drive

Trip Plan

Since this is a brief 25-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for multiple rest stops or extensive refueling, as the entire 17-mile route is easily manageable in a single go. To ensure a smooth experience, keep an eye on traffic patterns when transitioning from the I-75 corridor onto Main Street, as local road conditions can fluctuate. Because the fuel budget is quite low at $3, you can focus your resources on your destination rather than your transit costs. Take advantage of the short duration to enjoy a stress-free drive without the need for complex logistical preparation.

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 8.5 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.3 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 17 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 8.5 miles or 12m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Collegedale, 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 17 miles and 25m.

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 8.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 8.5 mi from Cleveland, TN · 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Chattanooga, TN

9 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

East Chattanooga, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Chattanooga, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 8.5 miles from Cleveland, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Collegedale, TN

The final approach into Collegedale, 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 Collegedale, 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

$2.58 one way

$5.16 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 6 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $2.85 $5.69
premium $4.80 $3.21 $6.42
diesel $5.64 $3.78 $7.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 5.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 5.1 0 $1.78 $0.82
Efficient EV 4.3 0 $1.49 $0.68
EV Truck/SUV 6.8 0 $2.38 $1.09

Gas CO2

6 kg

EV CO2

2 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Cleveland, TN

Evening in Cleveland on Sunday

Local time

7:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Collegedale, TN

Evening in Collegedale on Sunday

Local time

7:26 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

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

25m 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 Collegedale, TN covers 17 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, South Lee Highway, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.5 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 $2.58 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 17 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 64; US 11 Business / Broad Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 64; US 11 Business / 3rd Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cleveland, TN to Collegedale, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Ooltewah along the way.

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Return Trip

Collegedale, TN to Cleveland, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

16.9 mi 24m

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

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