Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Late night in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
198.7 mi
320 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chattanooga to Arlington is 198.7 miles and takes about 4 hours 2 minutes via I 24, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within Tennessee, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that makes for a manageable one-day trip. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance without significant detours. The drive is designed for straightforward transit, making it a solid choice for getting from point A to point B.
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
99.4 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 104.9 mi | 1h 57m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 53.7 mi | 58m |
| Yellow Creek Road | 14.1 mi | 24m |
| SR 49 | 6.3 mi | 11m |
| TN 49 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| SR 46 | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| I 40 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Pond Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Arlington, TN.
1
Start on TN 8
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto US 27
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 27
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 24
105 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 840
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 172
Toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto SR 46
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 46
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 70 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East College Street
12
Continue on US 70
483 ft
·
10 sec
·
West College Street
13
Turn right onto SR 46
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Pond Road
14
Continue on SR 46
14 mi
·
24 min
·
Yellow Creek Road
15
Turn left onto TN 49
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 49
16
Continue on SR 49
6.3 mi
·
11 min
·
SR 49
17
Turn left onto Arlington Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Arlington Street
18
Turn right onto West Roby Street
29 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Roby Street
19
Arrive at destination
West Roby Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Starting in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically to maximize your time on the road. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the 104.9-mile stretch on I 24, to avoid unnecessary delays. The straightforward nature of the drive means you can focus on enjoying the journey without complex route planning.
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 99.4 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.4 miles or 1h 52m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, TN
This is one driving day of about 198.7 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Chattanooga, 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 104.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.4 miles from Chattanooga, 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 104.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 164.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
106.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
8
164.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 172
Toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.06 one way
$62.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.11 | $68.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.24 | $76.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.87 | $87.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.86 | $9.54 |
| Efficient EV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.5 | 0 | $27.82 | $12.72 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Arlington, TN
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 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 2m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 24, experiencing a relatively continuous stretch of highway driving for up to 104.9 miles. While the primary roads include Tennessee National Guard Parkway and Yellow Creek Road, they integrate into the overall highway experience. The profile suggests a consistent pace for most of the journey, minimizing complex navigation and maximizing forward momentum. It's the kind of drive where you can settle in and watch the miles pass.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.9 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 198.7 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 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Chattanooga, TN and Arlington, TN, road signs point toward Franklin and Dickson.
Franklin
106.6 mi in
|
~2h
Dickson
164.2 mi in
|
~3h 3m
About the Cities
Starting in Chattanooga, TN
Full guide →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.
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 2m. Total distance: 198.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.9 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 Arlington, 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 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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