Origin
East Brainerd, TN
Evening in East Brainerd on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Brainerd, TN to Clarksville, TN
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
189.8 mi
305 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Brainerd, TN
Kelly
Clarksville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 189.8 miles across Tennessee, this trek from East Brainerd to Clarksville is a straightforward journey that typically takes 3 hours and 42 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You should budget approximately $29 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains entirely within the Southeast region. Navigating this path involves primarily I-24, supplemented by Madison Street and TN-76 as you reach your destination. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable link between two prominent Tennessee communities.
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
94.9 miles from East Brainerd, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 94% of this trip is spent on highways. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm for the majority of the journey, with a longest uninterrupted stretch of 173 miles on I-24. While the beginning and end of the drive involve navigating local roads like Madison Street and TN-76, the bulk of your time behind the wheel is dedicated to high-speed transit. This setup makes for a predictable drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. Prepare for a steady, highway-heavy haul that stays relatively uniform from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 173 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Madison Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 189.8 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
9
139.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
141.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
I 24
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
7
146.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
I 24
Take the exit onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 88
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville
6
184.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
US 41A / Madison Street
Turn right onto US 41A / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from East Brainerd, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
141.9 mi in
|
~2h 44m
|
via I 24
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 173 mi | 3h 14m |
| Madison Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| TN 76 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| East Brainerd Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| I 75 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Graysville Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| University Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 173 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Brainerd, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on Iris Drive
479 ft
·
28 sec
·
Iris Drive
2
Turn left onto Graysville Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Graysville Road
3
Turn left onto SR 320
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Brainerd Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Merge onto I 75
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 24
134 mi
·
2 hr 31 min
·
I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 24
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24
Exit 46A
Toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 24
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 24
Exit 88
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward TN 76
14
Keep slight left at fork
283 ft
·
9 sec
15
Continue on TN 76
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
TN 76
16
Turn right onto US 41A
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 41A
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
University Avenue
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
College Street
19
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning to avoid peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You only need to budget for one main stop to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite, making it an easy drive to complete in one go. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 173-mile interstate stint, as your consumption will be most consistent while maintaining highway speeds. Because the route relies so heavily on I-24, checking live traffic reports before you leave East Brainerd can save you significant frustration. Use your one planned stop strategically to break up the long interstate stretch and keep your energy levels high.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94.9 miles from East Brainerd, TN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.9 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Brainerd, 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 East Brainerd, TN
This is one driving day of about 189.8 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from East Brainerd, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 173 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.9 mi from East Brainerd, TN · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.9 miles from East Brainerd, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 173 miles.
Arriving in Clarksville, TN
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.83 one way
$57.66 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $31.78 | $63.56 |
| premium | $4.80 | $35.83 | $71.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.17 | $84.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.93 | $9.11 |
| Efficient EV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.61 | $7.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.57 | $12.15 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Evening in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
CDT
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 42m 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 East Brainerd, TN to Clarksville, TN covers 189.8 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Madison Street, TN 76. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.9 miles from East Brainerd, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.83 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 189.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from East Brainerd, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
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