Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Morning in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
119.5 mi
192 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rocky Top, TN
Kelly
East Chattanooga, TN to Rocky Top, TN is 119.5 miles and takes about 2h 28m via I 75 and US 11, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward, highway-focused drive stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient journey without extensive detours. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect consistent progress toward your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.7 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 62.1 mi | 1h 7m |
| US 11 | 21.7 mi | 24m |
| Lake City Highway | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Bonny Oaks Drive | 6.8 mi | 12m |
| Edgemoor Road | 6 mi | 10m |
| Pellissippi Parkway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Clinch Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Lovell Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Rocky Top, TN.
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
Turn right onto SR 17
At end of road, turn left onto SR 17
Continue on SR 17
Continue on SR 317
Take the ramp onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Continue on I 75
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 131
Turn left onto Schaeffer Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto SR 162
Continue on SR 62
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 170
Turn left onto US 25W
Continue on US 25W
Continue on US 25W
Continue on US 25W
Continue on US 25W
Continue on US 25W
Turn left onto 4th Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 28m estimated duration, this is a perfect same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan to leave when you feel most rested to make the most of the 119.5-mile drive. The fuel cost is estimated at $19, so ensure your tank is full before you depart East Chattanooga. While the longest stretch is over 60 miles on I 75, keep an eye out for services as needed, as stops are not pre-planned on this route.
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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.7 miles or 1h 10m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rocky Top, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 119.5 miles and 2h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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.
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 59.7 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 91.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto SR 17 / Campbell Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Secondary SR 131: Lovell Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto SR 131 / Lovell Road
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$18.68 one way
$37.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.51 | $41.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.00 | $45.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.38 | $52.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.55 | $5.74 |
| Efficient EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.46 | $4.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.73 | $7.65 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Rocky Top on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 73% of the journey on major roadways like I 75 and US 11. You'll experience a longest stretch of 62.1 miles on I 75, allowing for steady travel. Expect a consistent driving experience for much of the trip, characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Lake City Highway offers a slight variation in the road's character as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 11. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near SR 17 / Campbell Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (SR 17 / Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles (US 11; US 64; SR 317): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles (US 11; US 64; SR 317): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 119.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.
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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