Bradford, TN to Chattanooga, TN is 271.4 miles and takes about 5h 14m via I 24 and I 40, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstate highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal for a quick journey between these two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
135.7 miles from Bradford, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
103.1 mi
1h 54m
I 40
75.2 mi
1h 20m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
SR 220
9.1 mi
16m
TN 104
8 mi
10m
US 45E
7.3 mi
8m
Cades Atwood Road
5.8 mi
7m
State Highway 220
4.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 103.1 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,974 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,367
Quietest
2 AM
~348 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bradford, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on TN 105
0.2 mi·18 sec·East Main Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto TN 105
155 ft·8 sec·TN 105
3
Turn left onto TN 54
0.7 mi·1 min·West Main Street
4
Turn left onto US 45E
7.3 mi·8 min·US 45E
5
Turn left onto Cades Atwood Road
5.8 mi·7 min·Cades Atwood Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 70A; US 79
29 ft·0 sec·Atwood Highway
7
Turn right onto Oasis Road
0.1 mi·30 sec·Oasis Road
8
Turn left
1.4 mi·2 min
9
Turn right onto SR 220
9.1 mi·16 min·SR 220
10
Turn left onto SR 220
4.5 mi·7 min·State Highway 220
11
Turn right onto US 70; SR 104
0.5 mi·46 sec·Broadway of America
12
Turn left onto TN 104
8.0 mi·10 min·TN 104
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 101Toward SR 104
14
Merge onto I 40
75 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 40
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
16
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 24
103 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
20
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi·59 sec·US 27
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1BToward Downtown
22
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan to break up the 103.1-mile stretch on I 24. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is full before departing Bradford. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, but keep an eye on exit density as you get closer to Chattanooga.
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 135.7 miles from Bradford, TN, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 60 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.7 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bradford, 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 Bradford, TN
This is one driving day of about 271.4 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Bradford, 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 103.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Hours: 6 AM–10 PM
+16159001755
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 271.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|TN 105
At end of road, turn right onto TN 105
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
37.6 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the ramp toward SR 104
Navigation decision point
Exit 101
Toward SR 104
5
113 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7
166 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
6
271.2 mi into trip|~5h 14m in|West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.08 one way
$80.16 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.25
$88.49
premium
$4.72
$50.39
$100.78
diesel
$4.80
$51.25
$102.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.4
1
$28.50
$13.03
Efficient EV
67.9
0
$23.75
$10.86
EV Truck/SUV
108.6
1
$38.00
$17.37
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Bradford, TN
Late night
in Bradford on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:44AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Morning
in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:44AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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
5h 14m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 168.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on interstates, with 96% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 103.1 miles on I 24, meaning extended periods of cruising without many exits. Expect to transition to surface roads for the final section of the trip as you approach Chattanooga. The high highway percentage suggests a consistent driving experience with potential for merging traffic as you near urban areas.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.1 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near TN 105.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 271.4 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (TN 105): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 37.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,021 ft366 ft
Total Climb
1,150 ft
Total Descent
841 ft
Highest Point
1,021 ft
~213.2 mi in
Elevation Range
655 ft
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 Bradford, TN to Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Chattanooga is the 4th largest city in Tennessee. It is the seat of Hamilton County. It is in Southeast Tennessee on the Tennessee River and near the border of Georgia. It was immortalized in the popular 1941 song "Chattanooga Choo Choo", made famous by Glenn Miller.
Top landmarks
•Delta Queen — paddle steamer launched in 1926
•Hunter Museum of American Art — art museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee
•Saints Peter and Paul Basilica — historic church in Tennessee, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 271.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.1 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (TN 105): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 37.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chattanooga, TN before the return drive.
