Trip from Powells Crossroads, TN to Clarksville, TN

Drive Time

3h 16m

Distance

168.6 mi

271 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m

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

Downtown Clarksville, TN, TN

Clarksville, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 170.4 miles, this journey from Powells Crossroads to Clarksville takes approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes to complete. You will navigate a route that transitions through the Southeast, utilizing a combination of I-40 West, I-24 West, and the Downtown Loop. Given the duration, this is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $25 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a quick transit. While it isn't a cross-country haul, the route requires your full attention due to its local configuration. It is an honest, straightforward drive that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.

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

84.3 miles from Powells Crossroads, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While you do utilize major thoroughfares like I-40 and I-24, the path is defined by its frequent transitions and navigating the Downtown Loop. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on I-40 West is 0 miles, you should be prepared for a drive that demands consistent engagement behind the wheel. The route features a 0% highway share in terms of dedicated, long-haul interstate cruising, emphasizing its nature as a localized, winding experience. You will feel the road change frequently as you maneuver through different segments, keeping the driving experience active and dynamic 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 19 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 143.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and SR 28. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.1 miles in near I 24.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 168.6 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 14.1 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.6 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.8 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
14.1 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 24

Merge onto I 24

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
118.6 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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
120.8 mi into trip | ~2h 18m 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
125.6 mi into trip | ~2h 24m 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
163.2 mi into trip | ~3h 6m 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 Powells Crossroads, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.

Louisville

120.8 mi in | ~2h 18m | via I 24

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 24 143.1 mi 2h 39m
SR 28 6.3 mi 8m
TN 28 4.9 mi 5m
Madison Street 4.7 mi 8m
TN 76 3.4 mi 3m
SR 283 2.6 mi 4m
Downtown Loop 2.3 mi 3m
University Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 24 — 143.1 mi, about 2h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on SR 283

58 ft · 4 sec · Alvin C. York Highway
2

Turn right onto SR 283

2.6 mi · 4 min · SR 283
3

Turn left onto SR 28

6.3 mi · 8 min · SR 28
4

Continue on TN 28

4.9 mi · 5 min · TN 28
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
6

Merge onto I 24

105 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

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.
8

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.
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 46A Toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

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.
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

Since this is a sub-three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours near the Downtown Loop will make your transit smoother. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more taxing than a straight highway run. Keep your $25 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops to ensure you have enough to complete the 170.4-mile trip without stress. Because the route relies on local roads rather than long interstate stretches, rely on your GPS for real-time navigation updates to handle the frequent turns. Taking a proactive approach to your route navigation will help you maintain a steady pace throughout the entire duration.

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 84.3 miles from Powells Crossroads, TN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.1 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.3 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m

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 Powells Crossroads, 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 Powells Crossroads, TN

This is one driving day of about 168.6 miles and 3h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Powells Crossroads, 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 143.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.3 mi from Powells Crossroads, TN · 1h 37m into the drive

Downtown Nashville, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nashville, TN

84 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.

Popular next leg

Nashville, TN to Clarksville, TN

48.3 mi · 1h 1m

Pacing Suggestions

Franklin, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Franklin, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.3 miles from Powells Crossroads, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.1 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

$25.61 one way

$51.22 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $28.23 $56.46
premium $4.80 $31.83 $63.66
diesel $5.64 $37.46 $74.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.6 0 $17.70 $8.09
Efficient EV 42.2 0 $14.75 $6.74
EV Truck/SUV 67.4 0 $23.60 $10.79

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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

Powells Crossroads, TN

Night in Powells Crossroads on Sunday

Local time

11:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clarksville, TN

Night in Clarksville on Sunday

Local time

11:06 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 16m 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 Powells Crossroads, TN to Clarksville, TN covers 168.6 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, SR 28, TN 28. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.3 miles from Powells Crossroads, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.61 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 15 significant decision points across 168.6 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 14.1 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.6 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.8 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Powells Crossroads, TN to Clarksville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.

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