Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Monterey, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 12m
Distance
98.8 mi
159 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monterey, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
East Chattanooga, TN to Monterey, TN is 98.8 miles and takes about 2h 12m via US 27 and I-40, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Given it's mostly highway, expect a relatively straightforward trip. It's a short enough distance that you can easily complete it in a single day without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.4 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 27 | 41.8 mi | 53m |
| Wassom Memorial Highway | 19.8 mi | 29m |
| I 40 | 15.8 mi | 16m |
| TN 153 | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| US 127 | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| Bonny Oaks Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| Campbell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Piccadilly Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Monterey, TN.
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
Turn right onto SR 17
At end of road, turn left onto SR 17
Continue on SR 17
Take the ramp
Merge onto TN 153
Take the exit
Merge onto US 27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
Turn left onto Piccadilly Avenue
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
At end of road, turn right onto SR 68
Continue on SR 68
Turn straight onto US 127
Take the exit
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 70N
Continue on US 70N
At end of road, turn right onto SR 84
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, leaving anytime in the morning or early afternoon should give you ample daylight. With only 98.8 miles to cover, you have the flexibility to stop if needed, though the drive is short enough that extra stops might not be necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you're starting with less than a full tank; the estimated $15 fuel cost is based on typical prices and average MPG. Since the longest stretch is 41.8 miles on US 27, plan your fuel stop before you hit that segment if you're concerned about range.
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.
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 22 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.4 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monterey, 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 98.8 miles and 2h 12m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 49.4 miles from East 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Buc-ee's
Eco Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Driver Services Center
Renaissance Park
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+14236436096
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
Near the start, ~10 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+14237604333
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 97.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto TN 153
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Piccadilly Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto SR 68 / Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward 70N: Monterey, Livingston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.45 one way
$30.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.96 | $33.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.01 | $38.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.81 | $43.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.37 | $4.74 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.83 | $6.32 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
East Chattanooga, TN
Morning in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Monterey, TN
Morning in Monterey on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
75°F
Spring City, TN
49 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
5 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 12m 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?
You'll spend about 74% of this 98.8-mile route on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 41.8 miles on US 27. After that, expect a shift from high-speed highway cruising to more local roads as you approach Monterey. Watch for the increase in exits and intersections as you transition from the interstate.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and Wassom Memorial Highway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near TN 153.
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 98.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.3 miles (TN 153): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.4 miles (Piccadilly Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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 East Chattanooga, TN and Monterey, TN, road signs point toward Dayton and Soddy-Daisy.
Dayton
Soddy-Daisy
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 98.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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