Origin
Dayton, TN
Evening in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dayton, TN to Cleveland, TN
Drive Time
43m
Distance
28.4 mi
46 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dayton, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit through Southeast Tennessee, the 28.4-mile journey from Dayton to Cleveland is a straightforward local excursion. Expect to spend about 43 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budget roughly $4 for fuel to cover the distance, which keeps costs minimal for this short haul. You will navigate via the Hiwassee Highway, Georgetown Road Northwest, and Keith Street to reach your destination. Since both cities are located within the same region, you won't experience drastic shifts in geography or climate. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
14.2 miles from Dayton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. With only 5% of the trip spent on highways, you will mostly navigate surface roads that demand your full attention. The most significant portion of the drive is a 15.1-mile stretch along the Hiwassee Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, the drive feels more like a regional commute than a high-speed transit. Prepare for frequent adjustments as you transition between the various secondary roads that connect these two communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Hiwassee Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 378 / Market Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.4 miles you will encounter 7 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 (SR 378 / Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 30 / 3rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 27): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 378 / Market Street
Turn right onto SR 378 / Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 30 / 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto SR 30 / 3rd Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 27
Turn right onto US 27
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
SR 378 / Market Street
Turn left onto SR 378 / Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
27.9 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
Inman Street West
Turn left onto Inman Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hiwassee Highway | 15.1 mi | 22m |
| Georgetown Road Northwest | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| Keith Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| US 27 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| 25th Street NW | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Georgetown Rd NW | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Inman Street West | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 25th Street Northwest | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Hiwassee Highway
— 15.1 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, TN and Cleveland, TN.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue
156 ft
·
10 sec
·
2nd Avenue
2
Turn right onto SR 378
343 ft
·
13 sec
·
Market Street
3
Turn right onto SR 30
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
3rd Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 27
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 27
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto SR 378
52 ft
·
3 sec
·
Market Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on SR 60
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Hiwassee Highway
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on SR 60
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Blythe Ferry Road
8
Turn straight onto SR 60
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Hiwassee Highway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on SR 60
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Georgetown Rd NW
10
Continue on SR 60
7.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Georgetown Road Northwest
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on TN 60
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
25th Street Northwest
12
Continue on TN 60
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
25th Street NW
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on TN 60
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
25th Street Northwest
Use the none lane.
14
Turn right onto US 11
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Keith Street
Use the none lane.
15
Turn left onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inman Street West
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 43-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. There are no planned stops on this 28.4-mile route, so ensure you have enough fuel before heading out, as the $4 estimate assumes a direct, efficient trip. Since the drive is quite brief, you do not need to worry about pacing or fatigue management. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition onto Keith Street, as the shift from rural highways to local thoroughfares can catch you off guard. Utilize the lack of mandatory stops to your advantage by planning your arrival time precisely to suit your own itinerary.
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 14.2 miles from Dayton, TN, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.1 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 28.4 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.2 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dayton, 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 Dayton, TN
This is one driving day of about 28.4 miles and 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dayton, 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 Hiwassee Highway for about 15.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.2 mi from Dayton, TN · 21m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.2 miles from Dayton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cleveland, TN
The final approach into Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, 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
$4.31 one way
$8.63 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.76 | $9.51 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.36 | $10.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.31 | $12.62 |
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 | $2.98 | $1.36 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.49 | $1.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.98 | $1.82 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Cleveland, TN
Evening in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
43m 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 Dayton, TN to Cleveland, TN covers 28.4 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hiwassee Highway, Georgetown Road Northwest, Keith Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.2 miles from Dayton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.31 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 28.4 miles you will encounter 7 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 (SR 378 / Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 30 / 3rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 27): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Dayton, TN to Cleveland, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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