The drive from Monterey, TN to Clarksville, TN covers 138.2 miles and takes about 2h 36m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 24, Madison Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.4 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.61 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
69.1 miles from Monterey, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 138.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 36m highway drive covering 138.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 24. The longest continuous stretch is about 89.4 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 89.4 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 1 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 138.2 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 1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip|~1m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
90.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
95.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
132.8 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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 Monterey, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
90.4 mi in|~1h 38m|via I 24
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
89.4 mi
1h 37m
I 24
36.4 mi
40m
Madison Street
4.7 mi
8m
TN 76
3.4 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.3 mi
3m
South Holly Street
0.6 mi
<1m
University Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
College Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 89.4 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monterey, TN and Clarksville, TN.
1
Start on SR 84
0.6 mi·56 sec·South Holly Street
2
Turn straight onto US 70N; SR 84
366 ft·7 sec·Monterey Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
87 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit onto I 24
34 mi·36 min·I 24
Exit 88Toward I 24 West: ClarksvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward TN 76
11
Keep slight left at fork
283 ft·9 sec
12
Continue on TN 76
3.4 mi·3 min·TN 76
13
Turn right onto US 41A
4.7 mi·8 min·Madison Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 41A
0.4 mi·44 sec·University Avenue
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 41A; SR 48
0.3 mi·45 sec·College Street
16
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
134 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
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 69.1 miles from Monterey, TN, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.4 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 30 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.1 miles or 1h 15m 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 5m
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 Monterey, 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 Monterey, TN
This is one driving day of about 138.2 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Monterey, 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 89.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.1 mi from Monterey, TN
· 1h 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 69.1 miles from Monterey, 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 89.4 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 76.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.61 one way
$43.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.72
$47.45
premium
$4.89
$26.60
$53.19
diesel
$5.61
$30.51
$61.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.4 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
41.5
0
$14.51
$6.63
Efficient EV
34.6
0
$12.09
$5.53
EV Truck/SUV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.84
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 14, 2026
Origin
Monterey, TN
Morning
in Monterey on Friday
Local time
11:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksville, TN
Morning
in Clarksville on Friday
Local time
11:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph6% chanceLive 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
16 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
2h 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Monterey, TN to Clarksville, TN covers 138.2 miles and takes about 2h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 24, Madison Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.1 miles from Monterey, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.61 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 13 significant decision points across 138.2 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 1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Monterey, 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.
