Origin
Cleveland, TN
Evening in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
8:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
44m
Distance
28.3 mi
45 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dayton, TN
Kelly
If you are planning to travel between Cleveland and Dayton, Tennessee, you are looking at a straightforward 28.3-mile trip that typically takes about 44 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend roughly $4 on fuel for the journey, making it a very budget-friendly transit through the Southeast region. The route relies primarily on Highway 60, Georgetown Road Northwest, and Hiwassee Highway to get you to your destination. Whether you are commuting or just exploring, the simplicity of this drive allows for a stress-free experience without any necessary scheduled stops.
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
14.1 miles from Cleveland, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
This 28.3-mile drive offers a mixed-road profile, transitioning between varied local infrastructure and state highway travel. You will spend approximately 52% of your time on highways, giving the route a balanced feel that avoids the monotony of a purely interstate journey. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 13.5-mile stretch along Highway 60, which serves as the core of your travel experience. As you progress through the Southeast, the road conditions shift, requiring you to remain attentive as you navigate from the main highway arteries onto local connectors. Expect a steady, predictable pace that is neither overly technical nor aggressively fast.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 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.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 26.7 miles (US 27): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles (SR 30 / 3rd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 11 / Keith Street
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 27
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto SR 30 / 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Church Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 60 | 13.5 mi | 20m |
| Georgetown Road Northwest | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| Hiwassee Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Keith Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| US 27 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 25th Street NW | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Georgetown Rd NW | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 25th Street Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, TN and Dayton, TN.
Start on US 64
Turn right onto US 11
Turn left onto TN 60
Continue on TN 60
Continue on TN 60
Continue on TN 60
Continue on SR 60
Continue on SR 60
Continue on SR 60
Turn straight onto SR 60
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 27
Turn left onto SR 30
Turn left onto Church Street
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
Arrive at destination
Because the total duration is only 44 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, as you are unlikely to encounter major fatigue. Since there are no required stops on this 28.3-mile route, feel free to plan your departure based on local traffic patterns rather than refueling needs. Keep your budget simple by setting aside about $4 for gas before you head out. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to monitor your speed closely as you transition between the highway stretches and the local segments of Georgetown Road Northwest. By staying mindful of these road changes, you can ensure a smooth and efficient arrival in Dayton.
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.
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 28.3 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.1 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 28.3 miles and 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.1 mi from Cleveland, TN · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 28.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 14.1 miles from Cleveland, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Dayton, 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 Dayton, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.30 one way
$8.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.74 | $9.48 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.34 | $10.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.29 | $12.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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 Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
8:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
8:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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