Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Chapel Hill, TN to Chattanooga, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 41m
Distance
245.9 mi
396 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chapel Hill, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 245.9-mile drive from Chapel Hill, TN to Chattanooga, TN will take approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-24 and I-40, with a short section on Tennessee National Guard Parkway. With a highway share of 91%, expect a focused drive with minimal detours. The estimated fuel cost is around $38, which is quite reasonable for this distance. This route is ideal for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a straightforward journey through the Southeast region of Tennessee.
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
123 miles from Chapel Hill, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 103.1 mi | 1h 54m |
| I 40 | 68 mi | 1h 12m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| South Broad Street | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| Life Road | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| Lexington Bypass | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Joe Horton Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Chapel Hill, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Joe Horton Road
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Joe Horton Road
3
Turn right onto SR 200
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Life Road
4
Continue on SR 200
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Life Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto SR 459
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Bypass
6
At end of road, turn left onto TN 22
12 mi
·
17 min
·
South Broad Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
8
Merge onto I 40
68 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 40
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
10
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 24
103 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
14
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 27
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
16
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under five hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll only have one designated stop, so plan it strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you need to refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 103.1-mile stretch on I-24, to avoid any unexpected delays. This route is efficient, so arriving in Chattanooga with plenty of time to settle in is very achievable.
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 123 miles from Chapel Hill, TN, or about 2h 23m 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 54 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
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 Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, TN
This is one driving day of about 245.9 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Chapel Hill, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123 miles from Chapel Hill, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Tennessee Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - West Bound
0.1 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - East Bound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
I-24 Truck Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
The Bug Man
2.2 mi from route
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+14237604333
Visit websiteRenaissance Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+14236436096
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 245.8 — 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
|
Joe Horton Road
At end of road, turn right onto Joe Horton Road
Navigation decision point
5
6.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
SR 459 / Lexington Bypass
At end of road, turn right onto SR 459 / Lexington Bypass
Navigation decision point
5
7.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
TN 22 / South Broad Street
At end of road, turn left onto TN 22 / South Broad Street
Navigation decision point
7
140.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
245.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m 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
$36.31 one way
$72.63 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $40.09 | $80.18 |
| premium | $4.72 | $45.66 | $91.31 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.43 | $92.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.82 | $11.80 |
| Efficient EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.52 | $9.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.4 | 1 | $34.43 | $15.74 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Chapel Hill, TN
Late night in Chapel Hill on Sunday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Morning in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 5 mph
42% chance
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 41m 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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 144.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of your journey taking place on major interstates. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 103.1 miles on I-24, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the route is predominantly interstate, the transition onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway offers a slight variation before you merge back onto the main highways. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the 4 hours and 41 minutes.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Joe Horton Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 245.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 (Joe Horton Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (SR 459 / Lexington Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 7.5 miles (TN 22 / South Broad Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,040 ft
419 ft
Total Climb
1,111 ft
Total Descent
989 ft
Highest Point
1,040 ft
~175.7 mi in
Elevation Range
621 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chapel Hill, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon and Franklin.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad
19.4 mi in
|
~31m
Lexington
19.4 mi in
|
~31m
Huntingdon
19.4 mi in
|
~31m
Franklin
87.6 mi in
|
~1h 44m
About the Cities
Starting in Chapel Hill, TN
Full guide →Founded 1808
Arriving in Chattanooga, TN
Full guide →Founded 1839
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 245.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Joe Horton Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (SR 459 / Lexington Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 7.5 miles (TN 22 / South Broad Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Chattanooga, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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