Trip from Memphis, TN to Clarksville, TN

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

206.9 mi

333 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 15m ★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Memphis, TN, TN

Memphis, TN

Kelly

Downtown Clarksville, TN, TN

Clarksville, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 206.9 miles, this drive from Memphis to Clarksville takes approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $31 on fuel for the journey, making it a fairly budget-friendly transit across the state. The route primarily utilizes I-40 East, along with segments of North B and Trenton. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you will experience a consistent cultural atmosphere throughout your travel. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, the straightforward nature of this connection makes it an efficient way to cross this portion of the state.

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

103.4 miles from Memphis, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is best described as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While you will navigate sections of I-40 East, the route features a 0% highway share, placing more emphasis on local roads like North B and Trenton. You should be prepared for frequent maneuvering, as the longest uninterrupted stretch on North B is 0 miles. The character of the road demands your full attention, as the path shifts constantly rather than offering long, straight stretches of pavement. By keeping your focus on the road, you can manage the technical nature of these local connections effectively while moving between your starting point and final destination.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North B is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 26m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Memphis, TN to Clarksville, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North B Unavailable Refreshing
I 40 East Unavailable Refreshing
Trenton Unavailable Refreshing
East Van Hook Street Unavailable Refreshing
Atwood Highway Unavailable Refreshing
Main Street Unavailable Refreshing
East Main Street Unavailable Refreshing
Austin Peay Memorial Highway Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: North B — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TN and Clarksville, TN.

1

Start on Poplar Avenue

190 ft · 11 sec · Poplar Avenue
2

Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North B. B. King Boulevard
3

Take the ramp right toward I 40 East

0.1 mi · 14 sec · I 40 East
4

Merge slight left

12 mi · 14 min
5

Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville

71 mi · 1 hr 17 min · I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
6

Take the exit slight right toward Trenton

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Trenton
7

Merge slight left

6.6 mi · 7 min
8

Take the exit slight right

13 mi · 16 min
9

Turn right onto East Van Hook Street

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Van Hook Street
10

Continue on Atwood Highway

2.1 mi · 3 min · Atwood Highway
11

Turn left onto Atwood Highway

0.7 mi · 1 min · Atwood Highway
12

Continue on Main Street

1.7 mi · 2 min · Main Street
13

Keep slight left to continue on East Main Street

16 mi · 24 min · East Main Street
14

Continue on Austin Peay Memorial Highway

12 mi · 13 min · Austin Peay Memorial Highway
15

Turn right onto Paris Bypass

7.6 mi · 8 min · Paris Bypass
16

Turn right onto Austin Peay Memorial Highway

24 mi · 27 min · Austin Peay Memorial Highway
17

Continue on Fort Donelson Parkway

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Fort Donelson Parkway
18

Continue on Austin Peay Memorial Highway

0.6 mi · 38 sec · Austin Peay Memorial Highway
19

Continue on Lake Highway

0.5 mi · 37 sec · Lake Highway
20

Continue on Donelson Parkway

1.7 mi · 1 min · Donelson Parkway
21

Continue on Main Street

28 mi · 34 min · Main Street
22

Merge slight left onto Fort Campbell Boulevard

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Fort Campbell Boulevard
23

Continue on Providence Boulevard

1.6 mi · 3 min · Providence Boulevard
24

Continue on North 2nd Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 2nd Street
25

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

For the best experience, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic, as the turn-heavy nature of this route can be more demanding during busy hours. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the $31 estimated fuel cost. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on a trip of this length; if you start to feel fatigued by the local road transitions, don't hesitate to extend your break to ensure you remain sharp behind the wheel. Given the lack of long highway stretches, keep a close watch on your navigation as you transition between North B and the other segments. Prioritize a steady, consistent pace to help manage the technical demands of the local roads throughout the 206.9-mile journey.

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 103.4 miles from Memphis, TN, or about 1h 43m into the drive.

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 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 103.4 miles or 1h 43m 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 49m

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 Memphis, 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 Memphis, TN

This is one driving day of about 206.9 miles and 3h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Memphis, 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.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 103.4 mi from Memphis, TN · 1h 43m into the drive

Downtown Hopkinsville, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hopkinsville, KY

103 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

Collierville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hopkinsville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103.4 miles from Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.43 one way

$62.85 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $34.64 $69.29
premium $4.80 $39.06 $78.12
diesel $5.64 $45.97 $91.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.1 0 $21.72 $9.93
Efficient EV 51.7 0 $18.10 $8.28
EV Truck/SUV 82.8 1 $28.97 $13.24

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Memphis, TN

Evening in Memphis on Sunday

Local time

6:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clarksville, TN

Evening in Clarksville on Sunday

Local time

6:25 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 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

3h 26m 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 Memphis, TN to Clarksville, TN covers 206.9 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North B, I 40 East, Trenton. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103.4 miles from Memphis, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.43 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 straightforward 3h 26m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Memphis, TN to Clarksville, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Memphis, TN to Clarksville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Clarksville, TN to Memphis, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

208.9 mi 4h 9m

Explore more options from Memphis, TN or browse trips ending in Clarksville, TN.

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