East Chattanooga, TN to Huntingdon, TN is 249.1 miles and takes about 4h 43m via I 24 and I 40, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same region. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making this a straightforward drive. It's a practical option if you need to cover ground efficiently between these two points.
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
124.6 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
107.5 mi
2h
I 40
67.6 mi
1h 12m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
TN 22
11.9 mi
16m
Lexington Street
2.8 mi
5m
Dodson Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
North Willow Street
1.1 mi
2m
South Kelley Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 107.5 mi, about 2h
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 East Chattanooga, TN and Huntingdon, TN.
1
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft·10 sec·North Chamberlain Avenue
2
Turn sharp left onto SR 17
0.4 mi·37 sec·Glass Street
3
Turn left onto SR 17
1.8 mi·3 min·Dodson Avenue
4
Turn right onto SR 17
0.1 mi·21 sec·East 3rd Street
5
Turn left onto SR 17
1.1 mi·2 min·North Willow Street
6
Turn left onto US 41; US 76
356 ft·8 sec·East Main Street
7
Turn right onto South Kelley Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Kelley Street
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
9
Merge onto I 24
108 mi·2 hr·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 40
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 40
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
14
Turn right onto TN 22
5.3 mi·7 min·TN 22
15
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lexington Clarksburg Road
16
Continue on TN 22
6.5 mi·8 min·TN 22
17
Turn left onto Lexington Street
2.8 mi·5 min·Lexington Street
18
Turn left onto Church Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·Church Street
19
Turn right onto US 70 Business; SR 22 Business
143 ft·8 sec·Court Square
20
Arrive at destination
US 70 Business; SR 22 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 43m drive time, starting in the morning from East Chattanooga will easily get you to Huntingdon before evening. With only one recommended stop and a 97% highway profile, you might not need to stop for fuel unless your tank is low, but it's wise to plan around the $39 estimated fuel cost. The 107.5-mile stretch on I 24 means you can cover a lot of ground before needing to think about a break, but remember to stretch your legs when you do stop. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time.
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 124.6 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.5 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 55 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.6 miles or 2h 23m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Huntingdon, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East 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 East Chattanooga, TN
This is one driving day of about 249.1 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from East 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 107.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 and 233.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 17 / Glass Street
Turn sharp left onto SR 17 / Glass Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
4.3 mi into trip|~8m in|I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
111.8 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
5
112.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
233.9 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexin...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.79 one way
$73.57 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.61
$81.22
premium
$4.72
$46.25
$92.50
diesel
$4.80
$47.03
$94.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.16
$11.96
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.80
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.87
$15.94
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon
in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
1:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 5 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued July 16 at 4:36AM CDT until July 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued July 16 at 3:35AM CDT until July 16 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Huntingdon, TN
Afternoon
in Huntingdon on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued July 16 at 4:36AM CDT until July 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued July 16 at 3:35AM CDT until July 16 at 8:00AM 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
18 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 43m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 111.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on the highway for 97% of this 249.1-mile trip. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 107.5 miles on I 24. You'll notice a high concentration of exits on the interstate segments, so stay alert for traffic merging on and off. The transition to surface roads will be brief as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.5 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 17 / Glass Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 43m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 17 / Glass Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 4.3 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,680 ft411 ft
Total Climb
1,558 ft
Total Descent
1,832 ft
Highest Point
1,680 ft
~53.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,269 ft
Notable High Points
1,680 ft at ~53.4 miles+611 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Chattanooga, TN and Huntingdon, TN, road signs point toward Franklin, Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads and Lexington.
The longest stretch is about 107.5 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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: near the start (SR 17 / Glass Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 4.3 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Huntingdon, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
