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Create accountDrive Time
3h 20m
Distance
173 mi
278 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, TN
Kelly
Nashville, TN
MINEIA MARTINS
The drive from Clinton, TN to Nashville, TN covers 173 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Harriman Highway, Oliver Springs Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 136.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.28 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
86.5 miles from Clinton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
This is a 3h 20m highway drive covering 173 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Harriman Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 136.6 miles on I 40.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,421 ft
Total Descent
1,690 ft
Highest Point
1,847 ft
~79.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,319 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Harriman Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 167.9 miles in near I 40.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 173 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 167.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.1 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 136.6 mi | 2h 27m |
| Harriman Highway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Oliver Springs Highway | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| East Tri County Boulevard | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| North Roane Street | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| South Charles G Seivers Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Hannah Highway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Oak Ridge Turnpike | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, TN and Nashville, TN.
Start on Market Street
Turn left onto US 25W
Turn right onto TN 61
Continue on TN 61
Continue on TN 61
Continue on TN 61
Turn right onto TN 61
Turn right onto SR 61; SR 62
Continue on SR 61
Merge onto US 27
Continue on US 27
Continue on US 27
Continue on US 27
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
Merge onto I 24
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 31; US 41; US 431
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
Arrive at destination
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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.5 miles or 1h 42m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, TN
This is one driving day of about 173 miles and 3h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.5 mi from Clinton, TN · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.5 miles from Clinton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 136.6 miles.
The final approach into Nashville, 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 Nashville, 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
$26.28 one way
$52.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.97 | $57.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $32.66 | $65.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.43 | $76.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.17 | $8.30 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.14 | $6.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.22 | $11.07 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Evening in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
6:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
87 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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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