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Trip from Dickson, TN to East Chattanooga, TN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 18m

Distance

171.8 mi

276 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 6m ★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m

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 Tennessee, USA

Dickson, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 172.4-mile journey from Dickson, TN, to East Chattanooga, TN, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via SR 46 and I-840 East, with a short segment on Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Given its relatively short duration and under 100% highway share, this route offers a flexible and manageable drive. Expect a fuel cost of around $26 for this trip. The drive connects two locations within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward transit experience.

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

85.9 miles from Dickson, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 24 103.1 mi 1h 54m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway 52.2 mi 55m
SR 46 4.6 mi 6m
I 40 3.5 mi 3m
Riverside Drive 1.3 mi 2m
Wilcox Boulevard 0.9 mi 2m
Dodson Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
US 27 0.7 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 24 — 103.1 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dickson, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.

1

Start on US 70 Business

0.6 mi · 1 min · West College Street
2

Turn right onto SR 46

4.6 mi · 6 min · SR 46
Use the left lane.
3

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 40

3.5 mi · 3 min · I 40
5

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
6

Merge onto I 840

52 mi · 55 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 24

103 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 184B Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
10

Continue on US 27

0.7 mi · 59 sec · US 27
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 1B Toward Downtown
12

Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard

0.3 mi · 50 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13

Turn left onto Georgia Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Georgia Avenue
14

Turn right onto East 4th Street

0.4 mi · 35 sec · East 4th Street
15

Turn straight

0.1 mi · 22 sec
16

Continue on Riverside Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · Riverside Drive
17

Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard

0.9 mi · 2 min · Wilcox Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18

Turn left onto SR 17

0.8 mi · 1 min · Dodson Avenue
19

Turn right onto SR 17

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Glass Street
20

Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue

52 ft · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

North Chamberlain Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 2 hour and 50 minute drive, departing Dickson, TN, in the morning will allow you to reach East Chattanooga, TN, with ample daylight. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. The estimated fuel cost is $26, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates frequent directional changes. A practical tip is to check local traffic conditions before leaving Dickson, as local roads can sometimes experience unexpected delays.

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 85.9 miles from Dickson, TN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 38 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.9 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Dickson, 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 Dickson, TN

This is one driving day of about 171.8 miles and 3h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Dickson, 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 103.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Coffee County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Manchester, TN

86 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

Franklin, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tracy City, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.9 miles from Dickson, 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 103.1 miles.

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.

Fiery Gizzard State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Monteagle, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+18888672757

Visit website

Renaissance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14236436096

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14237604333

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 167.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | SR 46

Turn right onto SR 46

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
5.2 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
8.9 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7
61.9 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 53A Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
6
167.1 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in | West Martin Luther King Boulevard

Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.86 one way

$53.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.49 $58.98
premium $4.89 $33.06 $66.12
diesel $5.61 $37.93 $75.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.5 0 $18.04 $8.25
Efficient EV 43 0 $15.03 $6.87
EV Truck/SUV 68.7 0 $24.05 $11.00

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Dickson, TN

Late night in Dickson on Tuesday

Local time

3:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Chattanooga, TN

Late night in East Chattanooga on Tuesday

Local time

4:53 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Manchester, TN

86 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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

22 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 18m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you won't be spending much time on high-speed highways – in fact, there's a 0% highway share. The route unfolds over 172.4 miles, with the longest uninterrupted stretch not specified, indicating frequent changes in road type and speed. You can anticipate a dynamic driving experience as you move between different local roads and parkways. This profile suggests a route that requires more active navigation and attention to road conditions rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.1 mi on I 24.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near SR 46.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 171.8 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.6 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Dickson, TN to East Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.

Franklin

8.9 mi in | ~12m

About the Cities

Starting in Dickson, TN

Full guide →

For the Dickson in Canberra, see Canberra/North Canberra Dickson is a city in Central Tennessee and can be both parts sleepy and busy far-flung exurb of Nashville.

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 3h 18m. Total distance: 171.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 103.1 miles on I 24. 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 East Chattanooga, 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 0.6 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at East Chattanooga, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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