Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Late night in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Shackle Island, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
157.3 mi
253 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shackle Island, TN
Diego F. Parra
Trip Overview
East Chattanooga, TN to Shackle Island, TN is 157.3 miles and takes about 3h 4m via I 24 and Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Tennessee. Expect a highway-focused drive with minimal deviations, making it a straightforward journey. With its relatively short distance and efficient route, this is a solid option for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for your destination.
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
78.7 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 141.6 mi | 2h 40m |
| Vietnam Veterans Boulevard | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| New Shackle Island Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.3 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 |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 141.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Shackle Island, 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
130 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 24
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 24
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 24
Exit 46A
Toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Continue on I 65
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 65
15
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Exit 95
Toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 6
Toward SR 258: New Shackle Island Road, White House, Hendersonville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto SR 258
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
New Shackle Island Road
18
Turn sharp right onto SR 174
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Long Hollow Pike
19
Arrive at destination
SR 174
Trip Plan
Given this is a 157.3-mile drive taking just over 3 hours, it's perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to take full advantage of daylight and minimize traffic. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along I 24 for a quick break. With a fuel cost estimated around $25, it's an economical choice. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 141.6-mile stretch on I 24, as services can be spaced out.
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 78.7 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.6 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.7 miles or 1h 31m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shackle Island, 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 157.3 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 141.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.7 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 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.6 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 153.9 — 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
9
134.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 52A
Toward I 24West, I 40 West: Nashville
9
136.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
9
148.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 95
Toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
8
153.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward SR 258: New Shackle Island Road, White House, Hendersonville
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 6
Toward SR 258: New Shackle Island Road, White H...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.59 one way
$49.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.00 | $54.00 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.27 | $60.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.73 | $69.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 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 | 47.2 | 0 | $16.52 | $7.55 |
| Efficient EV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.76 | $6.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.9 | 0 | $22.02 | $10.07 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Shackle Island, TN
Night in Shackle Island on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 4m 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 route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 24, experiencing a longest stretch of 141.6 miles on this interstate. The initial and final segments will utilize Vietnam Veterans Boulevard and New Shackle Island Road, offering a slight change of pace from the interstate, but the overall character remains geared towards efficient travel. This setup means you'll likely experience consistent speeds for most of the 3h 4m duration.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.6 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Vietnam Veterans Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 17 / Glass Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 157.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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 134.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.6 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between East Chattanooga, TN and Shackle Island, TN, road signs point toward Louisville and Gallatin.
Louisville
136.6 mi in
|
~2h 37m
|
via I 24
Gallatin
148.4 mi in
|
~2h 51m
|
via TN 386
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 157.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.6 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Shackle Island, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 17 / Glass Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 134.4 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.6 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Shackle Island, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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