Embark on a 241.5-mile journey from Jellico to Clarksville, Tennessee, a drive that typically takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 72% of it on major roads, making it a manageable one-day trip. Expect a fuel cost of around $38 for this approximately 86.2-mile stretch on the Cumberland Parkway, which is the longest uninterrupted section. Given its manageable length and highway-centric profile, this drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traversing within the Southeast region for the entirety of this trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.8 miles from Jellico, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive offers a predominantly highway-focused experience, with a significant 72% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Cumberland Parkway and US Route 27 before merging onto I-65. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 86.2 miles along the Cumberland Parkway, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway, the route transitions between these different main roads, providing some variation without extensive detours. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency and steady progress towards Clarksville.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cumberland Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 86.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and US Route 27. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 241.5 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 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
12.9 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Bowling Green
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Bowling Green
8
176.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20A-B
Toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
6
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 165: Owensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20B
Toward I 165: Owensboro
6
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Gree...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jellico, TN and Clarksville, TN, road signs point toward Bowling Green and Scottsville.
Bowling Green
67.6 mi in|~1h 18m
Scottsville
176.6 mi in|~3h 17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
86.2 mi
1h 32m
US Route 27
26.2 mi
29m
I 65
21.4 mi
22m
Russellville Road
18.8 mi
25m
KY 92
18.5 mi
21m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
I 75
11.3 mi
12m
Clarksville Road
11 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 86.2 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jellico, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on US 25W
68 ft·8 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 25W
1.1 mi·1 min·5th Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Louisville
4
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward KY 92: Williamsburg
6
Keep slight left at fork
410 ft·12 sec
7
Turn slight left onto KY 92
19 mi·21 min·KY 92
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 27; KY 92
26 mi·29 min·US Route 27
9
Continue on US 27; KY 90
3.9 mi·4 min·Main Street
10
Turn left onto KY 914
6.0 mi·7 min·KY 914
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Bowling Green
12
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·Cumberland Parkway
13
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
0.3 mi·19 sec·Cumberland Parkway
Exit 1BToward I 65 South: Bowling Green
14
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·Cumberland Expressway
15
Merge onto I 65
21 mi·22 min·I 65
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 20A-BToward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, ScottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 20BToward I 165: Owensboro
18
Merge onto I 165
4.3 mi·4 min·I 165
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 5Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
20
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
8.2 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
22
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
23
Continue on US 68; KY 80
0.6 mi·54 sec·Bowling Green Road
24
Turn left onto KY 3240
1.8 mi·2 min·East 9th Street
25
Continue on Clarksville Road
0.4 mi·40 sec·Clarksville Road
26
Continue on US 79
0.1 mi·14 sec·West 9th Street
27
Continue on US 79
11 mi·15 min·Clarksville Road
28
Continue on US 79
11 mi·15 min·Russellville Road
29
Continue on US 79
5.3 mi·7 min·Guthrie Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on US 79
5.0 mi·8 min·Wilma Rudolph Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 79; SR 48
1.9 mi·3 min·College Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 45-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Jellico to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 241.5 miles, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 86.2-mile stretch on the Cumberland Parkway, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $38 is a helpful budget point for this predominantly highway journey. Planning your route to include a brief stop for gas and stretching before hitting I-65 can ensure a smooth continuation to Clarksville.
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 120.8 miles from Jellico, TN, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.2 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 16m 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 42m
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 Jellico, 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 Jellico, TN
This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Jellico, 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 86.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.8 mi from Jellico, TN
· 2h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 120.8 miles from Jellico, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Cumberland Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.2 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.76 one way
$75.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.45
$82.91
premium
$4.89
$46.47
$92.95
diesel
$5.61
$53.32
$106.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.5
0
$25.36
$11.59
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.81
$15.46
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jellico, TN
Night
in Jellico on Friday
Local time
11:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Night
in Clarksville on Friday
Local time
10:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Greensburg, KY
121 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Jellico, TN to Clarksville, TN covers 241.5 miles and takes about 4h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cumberland Parkway, US Route 27, I 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.8 miles from Jellico, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.76 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 241.5 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 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Jellico, TN and Clarksville, TN, road signs point toward Bowling Green and Scottsville.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
