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Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Germantown, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 59m

Distance

299.1 mi

481 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 47m ★
6 AM
6h 0m
8 AM
6h 26m
10 AM
6h 9m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 10m
5 PM
6h 25m
8 PM
5h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States

Chattanooga, TN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States

Germantown, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 299.1 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Chattanooga to Germantown typically takes about 5 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because the route is straightforward and manageable, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $45 for fuel as you navigate primarily via US 72, John T Reid Parkway, and US 72 Alternate. Traveling from the Southeast region toward the western edge of the state, you will find this path serves as a practical, highway-focused connection. It is an efficient way to cross the state, prioritizing speed and accessibility over complex detours. Whether you are moving between these two hubs for business or leisure, the route offers a reliable, no-nonsense itinerary.

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

149.6 miles from Chattanooga, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 72 91.5 mi 1h 49m
John T Reid Parkway 71.9 mi 1h 22m
US 72 Alternate 59.6 mi 1h 14m
I 24 26.4 mi 29m
North Cedar Avenue 17.8 mi 20m
Highway 72 9.5 mi 12m
Bill Morris Parkway 8.9 mi 10m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway 3.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: US 72 — 91.5 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Germantown, 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

26 mi · 29 min · I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 152A Toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
7

Continue on US 72

18 mi · 20 min · North Cedar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on US 72

0.8 mi · 56 sec · Lee Highway
9

Continue on US 72

2.0 mi · 2 min · John T Reid Parkway
10

Continue on US 72

2.0 mi · 2 min · Lee Highway
11

Continue on US 72

70 mi · 1 hr 20 min · John T Reid Parkway
12

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

3.5 mi · 4 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the right lane.
13

Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20

1.6 mi · 2 min · Bee Line Highway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20

60 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the right lane.
15

Continue on US 72

22 mi · 26 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Continue on US 72

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Continue on US 72

9.5 mi · 12 min · Highway 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on US 72

1.4 mi · 2 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Continue on US 72

44 mi · 52 min · US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Enter roundabout onto US 72

155 ft · 1 sec · US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
21

Continue on US 72

13 mi · 15 min · US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto US 72

8.4 mi · 10 min · US 72
Toward Collierville, Memphis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward TN 385 West, To I-240: Memphis
24

Merge onto TN 385

8.9 mi · 10 min · Bill Morris Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward Winchester Road Use the slight right lane.
26

Keep slight left at fork

482 ft · 14 sec
Toward Winchester Road West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27

Turn slight left onto Winchester Road

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Winchester Road
28

Turn right onto TN 177

2.4 mi · 4 min · South Germantown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Continue on TN 177

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Street
30

Continue on North Street

281 ft · 13 sec · North Street
31

Turn right onto South Germantown Road

429 ft · 12 sec · South Germantown Road
32

Turn left onto Southern Avenue

175 ft · 7 sec · Southern Avenue
33

Arrive at destination

Southern Avenue

Trip Plan

To keep your 6-hour journey comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route relies heavily on major highways like US 72, traffic volume can vary, so departing early in the morning is a smart way to maximize your daylight hours. With a fuel budget of $45, consider filling up before you hit the longest 91.5-mile stretch to ensure you aren't hunting for a station during the middle of that segment. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns. Keep a close eye on your navigation for transitions between US 72 and the John T Reid Parkway to avoid missing key junction points.

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 149.6 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.5 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 66 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 149.6 miles or 2h 55m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Germantown, 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 299.1 miles and 5h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 US 72 for about 91.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Moulton, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Moulton, AL

150 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

Guntersville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Moulton, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.6 miles from Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Decatur, Alabama

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 128.2

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Ranch House Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Town Creek, Alabama

2.1 mi

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Decatur, Alabama

2.8 mi

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 128.2

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Ranch House Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 149.6

Town Creek, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12566852002

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.2

Decatur, Alabama

+12563069992

Viva Mexico - Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 299.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19017950302

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.2

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12565849724

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.2

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12563506263

Visit website

IHOP

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 299.1

Cordova, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19017566488

Visit website

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.8

Madison, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12564891223

Visit website

Clipper Creek Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 106.8

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 106.8

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 106.8

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 106.8

Huntsville, AL

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 299.1

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 170.9

Tuscumbia, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12563830321

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 128.2

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 106.8

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14237604333

Visit website

Renaissance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14236436096

Kids Kingdom

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 106.8

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12563872194

Visit website

Dublin Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 106.8

Madison, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12567729300

Visit website

Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 106.8

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18008430468

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 1.3 and 296 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
6
125.9 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in | US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
264.6 mi into trip | ~5h 15m in | US 72

Enter roundabout onto US 72 toward US 72 West: Memphis

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward US 72 West: Memphis
8
278.1 mi into trip | ~5h 31m in | US 72

Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 toward Collierville, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Collierville, Memphis
8
296 mi into trip | ~5h 53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Winchester Road West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Winchester Road West

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.76 one way

$93.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $51.34 $102.68
premium $4.89 $57.56 $115.12
diesel $5.61 $66.04 $132.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 89.7 1 $31.41 $14.36
Efficient EV 74.8 0 $26.17 $11.96
EV Truck/SUV 119.6 1 $41.87 $19.14

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Chattanooga, TN

Late night in Chattanooga on Sunday

Local time

12:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Sunny

SW 5 to 10 mph 14% chance Live forecast

Destination

Germantown, TN

Night in Germantown on Saturday

Local time

11:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°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

28 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

5h 59m 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?

Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with roughly 90% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 91.5 miles along US 72. The character of the road remains steady, providing a predictable experience rather than a collection of technical or winding local paths. As you transition between the various segments of the route, the road maintains a focus on efficiency, allowing you to settle into a rhythm. This is a practical, steady drive that favors straightforward navigation over the stop-and-go patterns of smaller secondary roads.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.5 mi on US 72.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and John T Reid Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 299.1 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.9 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.6 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

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 Germantown, TN, road signs point toward Collierville and Memphis.

Collierville

278.1 mi in | ~5h 31m | via US 72

Memphis

278.1 mi in | ~5h 31m | via US 72

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 5h 59m. Total distance: 299.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 59m 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 91.5 miles on US 72. 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 Germantown, 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.9 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.6 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Germantown, TN before the return drive.

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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