Traveling from Livingston to Clarksville covers 145.8 miles of Tennessee terrain, typically requiring about 2 hours and 46 minutes of drive time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors like I-40 and I-24, making this a highly efficient transit between the two cities. Budgeting roughly $22 for fuel should cover your expenses for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic feel throughout the drive. It is an ideal trip for those prioritizing speed and practicality over winding backroads.
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
72.9 miles from Livingston, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 145.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 80% of the journey taking place on high-speed thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of local routes, such as the Cookeville Highway, before merging onto the interstate system. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 77-mile run on I-40, which allows for steady, consistent cruising. As you transition from the local segments onto the main interstates, the character of the drive shifts from regional road travel to a faster, more industrial pace. Expect a straightforward experience that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal technical complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 77 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 20.9 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 145.8 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 20.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
20.9 mi into trip|~25m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|I 40
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
102.7 mi into trip|~1h 55m 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
140.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|US 41A / Madison Street
Turn right onto US 41A / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Livingston, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
97.9 mi in|~1h 48m|via I 24
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
77 mi
1h 23m
I 24
36.4 mi
40m
Cookeville Highway
18.8 mi
21m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
TN 76
3.4 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.3 mi
3m
West Main Street
1.3 mi
1m
West Broad Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 77 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livingston, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on West Court Square
129 ft·10 sec·West Court Square
2
Turn left onto SR 85
0.4 mi·38 sec·West Broad Street
3
Turn straight onto SR 85
1.3 mi·1 min·West Main Street
4
Continue on SR 111
19 mi·21 min·Cookeville Highway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
75 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 24
2.1 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 46AToward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 24
34 mi·36 min·I 24
Exit 88Toward I 24 West: ClarksvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward TN 76
13
Keep slight left at fork
283 ft·9 sec
14
Continue on TN 76
3.4 mi·3 min·TN 76
15
Turn right onto US 41A
4.7 mi·8 min·Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 41A
0.4 mi·44 sec·University Avenue
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
0.3 mi·45 sec·College Street
18
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 145.8-mile drive, plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the monotony of the interstate segments. Since the trip takes under three hours, you have the flexibility to leave mid-morning or early afternoon without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 77-mile stretch on I-40, as services can be spaced further apart than on local roads. If you are traveling during peak weekday hours, factor in extra time for potential congestion as you approach the Clarksville area. Staying hydrated and taking that single planned break will ensure you arrive feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.9 miles from Livingston, TN, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77 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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.9 miles or 1h 20m 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 13m
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 Livingston, 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 Livingston, TN
This is one driving day of about 145.8 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Livingston, 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 40 for about 77 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.9 mi from Livingston, TN
· 1h 20m into the drive
The midpoint is around 72.9 miles from Livingston, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77 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.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 80.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.79 one way
$45.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.03
$50.05
premium
$4.89
$28.06
$56.12
diesel
$5.61
$32.19
$64.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.7
0
$15.31
$7.00
Efficient EV
36.5
0
$12.76
$5.83
EV Truck/SUV
58.3
0
$20.41
$9.33
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Livingston, TN
Evening
in Livingston on Friday
Local time
6:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Evening
in Clarksville on Friday
Local time
6:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 46m 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 Livingston, TN to Clarksville, TN covers 145.8 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 24, Cookeville Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.9 miles from Livingston, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.79 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.
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 14 significant decision points across 145.8 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 20.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Livingston, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
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.
