Clarksville TN to Chattanooga drive: Distance, time & best stops

The distance from Clarksville TN to Chattanooga is 179 miles, with a 2h59m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Clarksville TN to Chattanooga drive are Nashville, Manchester TN and Fiery Gizzard State Park.

Planning a Clarksville TN to Chattanooga road trip itinerary

The drive from Clarksville TN to Chattanooga takes you from the north of Tennessee to the south.

Clarksville TN is the seat of Montgomery County and brushes up against the Kentucky border. The cultural highlight is the Customs House Museum, which brings art and history together. But the star attraction in Clarksville is Dunbar Cave State Park.

Dunbar Cave is home to Mississippian cave art from the 14^th century. But you can also enjoy five miles of hiking trails, spotting wildlife along the way.

Chattanooga in the foothills of the Appalachians is home to Chattanooga Zoo, the Creative Discovery Museum and the Hunter Museum of American Art.

But it’s mostly an outdoorsy place. Great Chattanooga experiences include rafting on the Middle Ocoee River and kayak adventures to the Nickajack Bat Cave.

There’s plenty to see at Lookout Mountain just outside the city – ride the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, be wowed by Ruby Falls and see seven states from the Rock City Gardens.

5 great Chattanooga experiences to book

🦇 Pay a visit to the Nickajack bat cave on a guided kayaking adventure.
🍴 Take a Southside food tour – and get a history lesson while feasting at multiple stops.
🚁 See the city, river and mountains on a sights-packed helicopter ride.
👻 On an after-dark ghost tour, uncover murders and mysteries.
🌊 Tackle the whitewater on an Ocoee River rafting trip.

Choose from dozens more Chattanooga activities

Clarksville TN to Chattanooga distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Clarksville TN to Chattanooga is 179 miles. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 59 minutes.

The best stops on a Clarksville TN to Chattanooga road trip itinerary are Nashville, Manchester TN and Fiery Gizzard State Park.

Clarksville TN to Chattanooga road trip attractions: Nashville

Nashville is heavily music-focused, with attractions such as the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, Legends of Country Music Museum and Johnny Cash Museum. However, you can also get a good dose of history at Belmont Mansion, the Tennessee State Museum and Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.

The best Nashville experiences include backstage tours of the Grand Ole Opry House, helicopter flights over the city and tasting tours at the Big Machine Distillery. You can also try line dancing classes, the Country Music Hall of Fame and haunted pub crawls.

5 great Nashville experiences to book

🍸 Discover secret speakeasies on a guided cocktail crawl.
🏠 On a homes of the stars tour, see where Music City’s celebs live.
🍽️ Taste Tennessee’s local delicacies on a Nashville food tour.
🚢 Take a lunch or dinner cruise on the General Jackson showboat.
🎤 Get to know the Grand Ole Opry on a guided backstage tour.

Choose from dozens more Nashville activities

Best stops between Clarksville and Chattanooga: Manchester, TN

The town of Manchester isn’t especially riveting, although you can visit Common John Brewing and the Beans Creek Winery.

It is, however, the gateway to several photogenic waterfalls. The closest to the town centre are Blue Hole Falls and Big Falls in Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park. Head a little further west, and there are plenty more – Rutledge Falls has a glorious swimming hole at the bottom.

Clarksville TN to Chattanooga drive: Fiery Gizzard State Park

Fiery Gizzard State Park is pretty big, and it covers a significant chunk of the Cumberland Plateau. There are several hiking trails and camping spots, plus a series of waterfalls. The largest of these is Foster Falls, but the easiest to access from the I-24 is Sycamore Falls near Tracy City.

This is only a 12ft waterfall, but it’s wide and there’s a great swimming hole at the bottom.