Origin
Crossville, TN
Evening in Crossville on Sunday
Local time
6:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
3h
Distance
158.2 mi
255 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
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.
Crossville, TN
Kelly
Clarksville, TN
Kelly
If you are planning a trip from Crossville to Clarksville, you are looking at a 158.2-mile journey across Tennessee. Expect to spend about three hours behind the wheel, making this a straightforward, one-day drive that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-40 and I-24 before finishing your trek via Madison Street. With a fuel budget of approximately $24, this trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure. Since both cities are located within the Southeast, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout.
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
79.1 miles from Crossville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
This 158.2-mile route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of your time spent on major interstates. You should be prepared for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 106.3 miles while navigating I-40. The drive feels like a classic interstate grind, prioritizing speed and direct access over winding backroads. As you transition from the initial highway segments onto the local approach of Madison Street, the pace shifts from high-speed cruising to city navigation. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who prefer staying on consistent, well-marked thoroughfares.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near I 40.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 158.2 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 4.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 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.
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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 onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 41A / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Crossville, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 106.3 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 24 | 36.4 mi | 40m |
| Madison Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| North Main Street | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| TN 76 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| University Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| College Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Crossville, TN and Clarksville, TN.
Start on US 127
Take the exit
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
Merge onto I 24
Continue on I 24
Take the exit onto I 24
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on TN 76
Turn right onto US 41A
Turn right onto US 41A
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
Arrive at destination
Because this is a three-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though hitting the road early helps you avoid peak traffic congestion. Plan for at least one stop during the drive to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since you will be spending the vast majority of your time on the interstate. Keep your $24 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as prices can fluctuate near major interchanges. Since your longest stretch covers 106.3 miles, ensure your vehicle is ready for a solid two hours of continuous highway speed before you leave Crossville. Having your final directions for Madison Street ready ahead of time will make your arrival in Clarksville much smoother.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.1 miles or 1h 27m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Crossville, 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 Crossville, TN
This is one driving day of about 158.2 miles and 3h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.1 mi from Crossville, TN · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 79.1 miles from Crossville, 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 106.3 miles.
The final approach into Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, 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
$24.03 one way
$48.06 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.49 | $52.98 |
| premium | $4.80 | $29.86 | $59.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.15 | $70.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.61 | $7.59 |
| Efficient EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.84 | $6.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.15 | $10.12 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (65% 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 Crossville on Sunday
Local time
6:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
6:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Crossville, TN or browse trips ending in Clarksville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Crossville, TN or Clarksville, TN on MapSof.net.