Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to New Union, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
78.2 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Union, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
East Chattanooga to New Union is 78.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 34 minutes via I 24 and Woodbury Highway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive, making it a good option if you're looking for an efficient journey rather than a leisurely exploration. The route is designed for a single day, so you can plan to arrive at your destination with plenty of time left.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 71.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| Woodbury Highway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Dodson Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Willow Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South Kelley Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Glass Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 3rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 71.5 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and New Union, 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
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 110
Toward TN 53: Manchester, Woodbury
11
Turn right onto SR 53
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Woodbury Highway
12
Arrive at destination
SR 53
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour 34 minutes, this is an ideal same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially since there are no designated stops recommended. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 24 is 71.5 miles, and it's wise to fuel up before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $12, so plan accordingly before you set off from East Chattanooga.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.1 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.5 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 48m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Union, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from East Chattanooga, TN
This is one driving day of about 78.2 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from East Chattanooga, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 71.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.1 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 75.8 — 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
4
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
SR 17 / East 3rd Street
Turn right onto SR 17 / East 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
SR 17 / North Willow Street
Turn left onto SR 17 / North Willow Street
Navigation decision point
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.
6
75.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward TN 53: Manchester, Woodbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 110
Toward TN 53: Manchester, Woodbury
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.23 one way
$24.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.42 | $26.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.05 | $30.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.27 | $34.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.21 | $3.75 |
| Efficient EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.84 | $3.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.00 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
New Union, TN
Morning in New Union on Sunday
Local time
11:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
34 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
1h 34m 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 drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 91% of the journey taking place on major roadways like I 24. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 71.5 miles on I 24, offering consistent speed. While the bulk of the trip is on the interstate, you will transition to Woodbury Highway and Dodson Avenue, which may offer a slightly different driving feel as you approach New Union. Expect a consistent pace for most of the 1 hour 34 minute travel time.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.5 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Woodbury Highway. 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 Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 34m drive. You will face about 10 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 2.2 miles (SR 17 / East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (SR 17 / North Willow Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 78.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.5 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 17 / Glass Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.2 miles (SR 17 / East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (SR 17 / North Willow Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New Union, TN before heading back.
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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