Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Portland, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
165 mi
266 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portland, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
East Chattanooga, TN to Portland, TN is 165 miles and takes about 3h 13m via I 24 and SR 109, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. It's a fairly straightforward drive that primarily uses major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. You'll cover most of the distance on Interstate 24 before transitioning to state routes.
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
82.5 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 107 mi | 2h |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 18.5 mi | 19m |
| SR 109 | 17.6 mi | 20m |
| Central Pike | 16.8 mi | 23m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 107 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Portland, 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
107 mi
·
2 hr
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 74B
Toward I 840 East: Lebanon, Knoxville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 840
19 mi
·
19 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 72B
Toward TN 265 West: Central Pike
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on SR 109; SR 265
17 mi
·
23 min
·
Central Pike
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto SR 109
18 mi
·
20 min
·
SR 109
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
SR 109
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of just over 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the trip and allow for a stop if needed. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 107 miles on I 24, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $26, and gas stations might be less frequent on the state highway portion.
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 82.5 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107 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 36 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.5 miles or 1h 36m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portland, 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 165 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.5 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 107 miles.
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.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Tennessee Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - West Bound
0.1 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - East Bound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
I-24 Truck Plaza
0.3 mi from route
The Bug Man
2.2 mi from route
Renaissance Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+14236436096
Fiery Gizzard State Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
mile 47.2
Monteagle, Tennessee
Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm
+18888672757
Visit websiteChattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
3.8 mi from route
~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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 130.4 — 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
111.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Lebanon, Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 74B
Toward I 840 East: Lebanon, Knoxville
5
111.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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.
7
130.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward TN 265 West: Central Pike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 72B
Toward TN 265 West: Central Pike
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.80 one way
$51.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.32 | $56.65 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.75 | $63.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.43 | $72.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.33 | $7.92 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.44 | $6.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66 | 0 | $23.10 | $10.56 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
2:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portland, TN
Afternoon in Portland on Sunday
Local time
1:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Manchester, TN
83 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
31 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
3h 13m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 108.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the highway, with 87% of the route being main roads like I 24. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 107 miles. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, primarily SR 109, for the remaining miles. Expect a good amount of highway cruising, with potentially more frequent exits as you get closer to your destination on the state highway.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 17 / Glass Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 165 miles you will encounter 12 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: 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 111.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
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 East Chattanooga, TN to Portland, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville along the way.
Knoxville
111.3 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 165 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 111.3 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Portland, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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