Chattanooga to Millersville is 148.5 miles and takes about 2h 49m via I-24 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect mostly highway driving, making for a straightforward trip. It's a relatively short drive, so you can leave whenever works best for your schedule. The main roads are well-maintained and efficient for covering ground.
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
74.2 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
139 mi
2h 36m
I 65
3.6 mi
3m
Downtown Loop
2.3 mi
3m
Louisville Highway
1 mi
1m
US 27
0.7 mi
<1m
Blue Star
0.6 mi
<1m
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 139 mi, about 2h 36m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,972 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,410
Quietest
2 AM
~353 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Chattanooga, TN and Millersville, 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, BirminghamUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 24
128 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.2 mi·2 min·I 24
Exit 52AToward I 24West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi·28 sec·I 24
Exit 211Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 24
9.0 mi·10 min·I 24
Exit 46AToward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on I 65
0.2 mi·14 sec·I 65
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
3.4 mi·3 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 98Toward US 31W: Millersville, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
412 ft·10 sec
Toward US 31W North: MillersvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Turn straight onto US 31W
0.6 mi·51 sec·Blue Star
15
Continue on US 31W
1.0 mi·1 min·Louisville Highway
16
Arrive at destination
US 31W
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2 hour and 49 minute drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in both Chattanooga and the Nashville metro area. You'll have one primary stop opportunity on the Interstate, so plan for a brief break around the halfway point. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so ensure you have sufficient funds or a working card. Since it's a short drive, you have the flexibility to depart later in the day if needed.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.2 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.2 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Millersville, 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 148.5 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 139 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 74.2 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 I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 146.8 — 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
9
129.2 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
131.4 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
8
146.6 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 31W: Millersville, Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 98
Toward US 31W: Millersville, Springfield
8
146.8 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W North: Millersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 31W North: Millersville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.02 one way
$46.05 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$25.25
$50.49
premium
$4.93
$28.81
$57.62
diesel
$5.60
$32.73
$65.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.6
0
$15.59
$7.13
Efficient EV
37.1
0
$12.99
$5.94
EV Truck/SUV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Late night
in Chattanooga on Saturday
Local time
1:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:34PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:34PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Millersville, TN
Late night
in Millersville on Saturday
Local time
12:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:34PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:34PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
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
1 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 49m 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.
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 102.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 97% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all your time on high-speed roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 139 miles on I-24. You'll experience a consistent cruising speed for the vast majority of the trip. Expect dense exits as you approach your destination, indicating a transition from rural to more populated areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 65. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 148.5 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 129.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,357 ft501 ft
Total Climb
1,021 ft
Total Descent
1,195 ft
Highest Point
1,357 ft
~42.4 mi in
Elevation Range
855 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Millersville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 148.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Millersville, 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 129.2 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Millersville, TN before heading back.
