Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
22m
Distance
14.7 mi
24 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Athens, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Calhoun, TN
Kelly
If you are looking for a quick, straightforward trip in Southeast Tennessee, the 14.7-mile drive from Athens to Calhoun is an ideal choice. Covering this distance takes roughly 22 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You won't need to worry about lodging or overnight planning, as the duration is very manageable. Budgeting about $2 for fuel should comfortably cover the journey between these two towns. Because the entire route remains within the same region, you can expect a consistent local atmosphere from start to finish.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Madison Avenue | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| Lee Highway | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Etowah Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Athens, TN and Calhoun, TN.
Start on SR 39
Turn straight onto SR 39
At end of road, turn left onto US 11
Turn left onto TN 163
Turn left onto Main Street
Arrive at destination
3 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 14.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto US 11 / Lee Highway
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto TN 163 / Etowah Road
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$2.44 one way
$4.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.66 | $5.32 |
| premium | $5.18 | $3.00 | $6.00 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $3.10 | $6.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.54 | $0.71 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.06 | $0.94 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Athens on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Calhoun on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will navigate a series of surface roads including West Madison Avenue, Lee Highway, and Washington Avenue, with zero percent of the trip spent on major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 7.1-mile segment along West Madison Avenue. Since the route relies entirely on local roads, you should prepare for a slower pace that reflects the character of the surrounding communities.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in near US 11 / Lee Highway.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Athens, TN to Calhoun, TN is easy. At 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles (US 11 / Lee Highway): Navigation decision point; at 14.4 miles (TN 163 / Etowah Road): Navigation decision point; at 14.6 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
132 ft
Total Descent
275 ft
Highest Point
950 ft
~1 mi in
Elevation Range
235 ft
Founded 1822
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 22m. Total distance: 14.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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