Traveling from Burns to Chattanooga covers 166.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes. Because this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, as 99% of this route consists of highway driving. Budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Tennessee destinations. It is a straightforward, functional journey that serves as a reliable link between the regions, perfect for travelers who prioritize efficiency over wandering backroads.
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
83.4 miles from Burns, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
125.4 mi
2h 19m
I 40
23.5 mi
25m
Highway 96
8 mi
11m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
7 mi
8m
US 27
0.7 mi
<1m
Church Street
0.2 mi
<1m
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 125.4 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burns, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on SR 47
0.2 mi·32 sec·Church Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto SR 96
8.0 mi·11 min·Highway 96
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 40 East: Nashville
4
Merge onto I 40
23 mi·25 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 206Toward I 440 East: KnoxvilleUse the slight right lane.
6
Continue on I 440
7.0 mi·8 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·51 sec
Toward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 24
125 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
10
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi·59 sec·US 27
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1BToward Downtown
12
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 166.8-mile transit and keep your energy levels steady. Given that the longest uninterrupted leg is 125.4 miles on I-24, try to time your break before hitting that stretch to ensure you stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the interstate portions to ensure you don't dip into your $25 budget prematurely. Taking advantage of the single-day timeline allows you to arrive in Chattanooga refreshed and ready for your next activity.
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 83.4 miles from Burns, TN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.4 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 1h 36m 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 35m
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 Burns, 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 Burns, TN
This is one driving day of about 166.8 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Burns, 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 125.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 166.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 96 / Highway 96
At end of road, turn left onto SR 96 / Highway 96
Navigation decision point
5
8.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 40 East: Nashville
7
31.9 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 440 East: Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 206
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville
7
39.3 mi into trip|~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
6
166.6 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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
$26.08 one way
$52.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.63
$57.26
premium
$4.89
$32.10
$64.20
diesel
$5.61
$36.83
$73.65
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: 58.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50
0
$17.51
$8.01
Efficient EV
41.7
0
$14.60
$6.67
EV Truck/SUV
66.7
0
$23.35
$10.68
Gas CO2
58 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Burns, TN
Night
in Burns on Saturday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Late night
in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Manchester, TN
83 mi in
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
8 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
3h 10m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic routes. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40, I-24, and Highway 96 as you navigate toward your destination. The most significant portion of the drive is a 125.4-mile stretch along I-24, which will require your focus for the majority of the time behind the wheel. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience that stays true to its 99% highway composition. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B with minimal deviation.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.4 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near SR 96 / Highway 96.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 166.8 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 0.2 miles (SR 96 / Highway 96): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 166.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.4 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Chattanooga, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (SR 96 / Highway 96): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Chattanooga, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
