Traveling from Chattanooga to Clinton covers 109.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited as a comfortable one-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the journey. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you will remain in familiar territory throughout the trip. It is a straightforward route that avoids major interstates, making it a practical choice if you prefer local roads over high-speed traffic.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.8 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
63 mi
1h 17m
Roane State Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Harriman Highway
9.7 mi
10m
Oliver Springs Highway
7.1 mi
12m
West Tri County Boulevard
4.6 mi
5m
Spring City Highway
4.1 mi
4m
South Gateway Avenue
2.7 mi
3m
Hannah Highway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 63 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Clinton, TN.
1
Start on TN 8
0.2 mi·31 sec·West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
3
Merge onto US 27
21 mi·24 min·US 27
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
42 mi·53 min·US 27
5
Merge onto US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·Spring City Highway
6
Continue on US 27; US 70
2.7 mi·3 min·South Gateway Avenue
7
Continue on US 27; US 70
9.8 mi·11 min·Roane State Highway
8
Continue on US 27
2.4 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
9
Continue on US 27
416 ft·5 sec·Harriman Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
11
Continue on SR 61
4.6 mi·5 min·West Tri County Boulevard
12
Turn left onto SR 61
7.1 mi·12 min·Oliver Springs Highway
13
At end of road, turn left onto TN 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Oak Ridge Turnpike
14
Continue on TN 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Oak Ridge Highway
15
Continue on TN 61
384 ft·6 sec·South Charles G Seivers Boulevard
16
Continue on TN 61
0.4 mi·41 sec·South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard
17
Continue on SR 61
2.1 mi·3 min·South Charles G Seivers Boulevard
18
Turn left onto US 25W
0.5 mi·50 sec·South Main Street
19
Turn right onto Market Street
135 ft·7 sec·Market Street
20
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Keep in mind that with no planned stops, you should account for your own rest and fuel breaks along the way to stay comfortable. Given the local nature of these roads, stay alert for frequent turns that can make the 2-hour and 19-minute duration feel more intensive than a straight highway shot. Budget your $16 for fuel before you head out to ensure a smooth transition between these two Tennessee towns. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation tools handy, as the reliance on local highways requires more frequent attention to turn-by-turn directions than a simple interstate route.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.8 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.8 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, 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 109.7 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Chattanooga, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 27 for about 63 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 and 104.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Depart onto TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|US 27
Merge onto US 27
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
21.5 mi into trip|~26m in|US 27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
83 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|SR 61 / Harriman Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61 / Harriman Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
104.3 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|TN 61 / Oak Ridge Turnpike
At end of road, turn left onto TN 61 / Oak Ridge Turnpike
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.15 one way
$34.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.83
$37.66
premium
$4.89
$21.11
$42.22
diesel
$5.61
$24.22
$48.44
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Oak Ridge Turnpike
(1.1 mi)$0.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.9
0
$11.52
$5.27
Efficient EV
27.4
0
$9.60
$4.39
EV Truck/SUV
43.9
0
$15.36
$7.02
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 16, 2026
Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Late night
in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clinton, TN
Late night
in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 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
2h 19m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy experience as you navigate your way through Southeast Tennessee using Spring City Highway, South Gateway Avenue, and Roane State Highway. Unlike a standard interstate grind, this route features zero percent highway share, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the entire 109.7-mile distance. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on Spring City Highway, you should be prepared for a drive that demands your full attention. The road's personality is defined by its constant shifts and technical turns, providing a more hands-on driving experience than a typical highway cruise.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard.
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 109.7 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (US 27): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 21.5 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 2h 19m. Total distance: 109.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.08 in tolls one way, starting with Oak Ridge Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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: near the start (TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (US 27): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 21.5 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clinton, TN before heading back.
