Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
54.1 mi
87 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Spring City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to travel from Chattanooga to Spring City, you are in for a straightforward 54.1-mile journey within Southeast Tennessee. Expect the drive to take approximately 1 hour and 8 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can anticipate a fuel budget of about $8, which keeps this trip very affordable. Because the route is entirely local, you won't be dealing with the monotony of interstate travel, though you should prepare for a turn-heavy experience. It is a practical, efficient way to move between these two points without needing to pack for an extended stay.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 27 | 53.2 mi | 1h 6m |
| West Martin Luther King Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Rhea County Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Spring City, TN.
Start on TN 8
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27 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.
3 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 21.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Depart onto TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 27
Merge point - match speed before joining
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$8.46 one way
$16.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.29 | $18.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.41 | $20.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.94 | $23.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.68 | $2.60 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.73 | $2.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.57 | $3.46 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Spring City on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
84°F
Dayton, TN
27 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive is defined by its turn-heavy local nature, offering a much more engaged driving experience than a standard highway cruise. Since 0% of the route is spent on major highways, you will find yourself navigating smaller roads that demand your full attention. The road's personality is winding and constant, lacking long, straight stretches where you can just set the cruise control. You will stay off the high-speed interstates for the entire 54.1-mile duration, so plan for a steady pace rather than quick transitions. Navigating these local roads requires focus, but it offers a direct connection to the landscape as you transition through the region.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and West Martin Luther King Boulevard. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Chattanooga, TN to Spring City, TN is easy. At 1h 8m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
657 ft
Total Descent
564 ft
Highest Point
929 ft
~3.9 mi in
Elevation Range
254 ft
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 54.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Chattanooga, TN or browse trips ending in Spring City, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
