Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Mount Carmel, 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 24m
Distance
207.9 mi
335 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Mount Carmel, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chattanooga to Mount Carmel is 207.9 miles and takes about 4h 24m via I 24 and Lawrenceburg Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll experience a mix of interstate cruising and surface road travel. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. It offers a straightforward path for those looking to connect these two points without extensive detours.
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
104 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 44.7 mi | 51m |
| Lawrenceburg Highway | 44.4 mi | 50m |
| Pulaski Highway | 31 mi | 35m |
| Winchester Highway | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| US 641 | 14.1 mi | 16m |
| David Crockett Highway | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| US 64 | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Sewanee Highway | 6.8 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 44.7 mi, about 51m
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 Chattanooga, TN and Mount Carmel, 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
45 mi
·
51 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 134
Toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
7
Turn slight right
50 ft
·
9 sec
8
Turn left onto US 41A
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
9
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
David Crockett Highway
10
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sewanee Highway
11
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sollace M Freeman Highway
12
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Sewanee Highway
13
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Cumberland Street East
14
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Cowan Highway
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
16
Merge onto US 64
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Memorial Drive
17
Continue on US 64
13 mi
·
14 min
·
David Crockett Highway
18
Continue on US 64
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Winchester Highway
19
Continue on US 64 Business
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Mulberry Avenue
20
Continue on US 64 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
College Street East
21
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morgan Avenue North
22
Continue on US 64 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street West
23
Continue on US 64
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Pulaski Highway
24
Turn left onto US 64
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
West College Street
25
Continue on US 64
44 mi
·
50 min
·
Lawrenceburg Highway
26
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
27
Turn right onto US 64
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 64
28
Turn right onto US 641
14 mi
·
16 min
·
US 641
29
Turn right onto Bobs Landing Road
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Bobs Landing Road
30
Turn right onto Smith Gravel Pit Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Smith Gravel Pit Road
31
Continue on Smith Gravel Pit Road
3.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Smith Gravel Pit Road
32
Turn sharp right onto Mt Carmel Road
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Mt Carmel Road
33
Arrive at destination
Mt Carmel Road
Trip Plan
Consider starting your drive in Chattanooga in the morning to make the most of daylight. With a total duration of just over 4 hours, you won't need to split this drive, giving you flexibility on when to depart. There's one recommended stop along the way, so plan for a brief break about halfway through your trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 44.7-mile stretch on I 24, as services can be spread out on interstate segments. The estimated fuel cost is around $36, so budget accordingly.
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 104 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.7 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104 miles or 2h 6m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Carmel, 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 207.9 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 44.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104 miles from Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Tennessee Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - East Bound
0.6 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - West Bound
0.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 207.1 — 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.
6
46.4 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 134
Toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
5
207.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
|
Mt Carmel Road
Turn sharp right onto Mt Carmel Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.70 one way
$61.40 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $33.89 | $67.79 |
| premium | $4.72 | $38.60 | $77.20 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.26 | $78.51 |
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: 72.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.83 | $9.98 |
| Efficient EV | 52 | 0 | $18.19 | $8.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.2 | 1 | $29.11 | $13.31 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Morning in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:18PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Mount Carmel, TN
Morning in Mount Carmel on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:18PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
89°F
Ardmore, TN
104 mi in
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
4h 24m 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?
About 35% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll have roughly 73 miles on interstate before transitioning to surface roads. The longest stretch on I 24 covers 44.7 miles, so expect a significant portion of your travel to be on the interstate. After that, you'll be navigating on Lawrenceburg Highway and Pulaski Highway. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely involve a noticeable change in speed limits and traffic density.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.7 mi on I 24.
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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
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 207.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,795 ft
414 ft
Total Climb
1,761 ft
Total Descent
2,020 ft
Highest Point
1,795 ft
~44.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,381 ft
Notable High Points
1,795 ft at ~44.6 miles
+791 ft prominence
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 Mount Carmel, TN, road signs point toward 41A: Monteagle and Sewanee.
41A: Monteagle
46.4 mi in
|
~54m
Sewanee
46.4 mi in
|
~54m
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Mount Carmel, TN
Full guide →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 24m. Total distance: 207.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.7 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 0.3 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Mount Carmel, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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