East Chattanooga, TN to Tiptonville, TN is 332 miles and takes about 6h 21m via I 24, I 40, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Tennessee, taking you across the southeastern part of the state. With highway driving making up 98% of the route, it's a straightforward drive focused on covering distance efficiently. It's a good option if you're looking for a single-day trip without too many complexities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
166 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
107.5 mi
2h
I 40
96.4 mi
1h 43m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi
58m
US 412
45.8 mi
55m
State Route 78
20.9 mi
29m
Dodson Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
North Willow Street
1.1 mi
2m
South Headden Drive
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 107.5 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,972 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,410
Quietest
2 AM
~353 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Tiptonville, 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
108 mi·2 hr·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 74AToward I 840 West: Memphis, FranklinUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 840
54 mi·58 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 40
96 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 40
13
Take the exit onto US 412
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 412
Exit 79Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412
268 ft·6 sec·US 412
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
27 mi·32 min·US 412
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
16
Continue on US 412
16 mi·18 min·US 412
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412
2.9 mi·3 min·US 412
Toward I-155 West, US 412 West: Saint Louis
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward TN 78: Dyersburg, Tiptonville
19
Turn right onto TN 78
0.3 mi·36 sec·Lake Road
20
Continue on TN 78
14 mi·19 min·State Route 78
21
Continue on TN 78
1.0 mi·1 min·South Headden Drive
22
Continue on TN 78
6.8 mi·10 min·State Route 78
23
Continue on TN 78
0.6 mi·1 min·Carl Perkins Parkway
24
Turn left onto TN 21
0.3 mi·47 sec·Church Street
25
Arrive at destination
TN 21
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 21m estimated drive time, leaving East Chattanooga in the morning should allow you to reach Tiptonville with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll only need one stop for fuel or a break, making it easy to manage your time. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 100 miles on I 24, so plan your refueling accordingly before entering that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but sticking to an earlier start will ensure a relaxed pace.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.5 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 73 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tiptonville, 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 332 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 107.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 111.8 and 305.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
111.8 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
6
262.7 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|US 412
Take the exit onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
7
263 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|US 412
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
6
263 mi into trip|~4h 53m in|US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
6
305.6 mi into trip|~5h 43m in|US 412
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412 toward I-155 West, US 412 West: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-155 West, US 412 West: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.38 one way
$110.76 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$60.43
$120.85
premium
$5.25
$68.66
$137.32
diesel
$6.28
$82.03
$164.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.6
1
$34.86
$15.94
Efficient EV
83
0
$29.05
$13.28
EV Truck/SUV
132.8
1
$46.48
$21.25
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon
in East Chattanooga on Thursday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tiptonville, TN
Afternoon
in Tiptonville on Thursday
Local time
2:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
26 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
6h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 114.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 332 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 107.5 miles on I 24 before transitioning to other major roads. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive, with the highway portion ending relatively late in the trip. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll encounter fewer traffic lights and more merging situations.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.5 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 111.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 332 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: at 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.7 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,318 ft299 ft
Total Climb
897 ft
Total Descent
1,282 ft
Highest Point
1,318 ft
~47.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,019 ft
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 Tiptonville, TN, road signs point toward Franklin and Dyersburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 332 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.5 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 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.
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 Tiptonville, 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. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.7 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tiptonville, TN before the return drive.
