Traveling from Gallatin to Collegedale covers 159.8 miles of Tennessee landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively straightforward highway-focused drive through the Southeast, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route relies heavily on I-24, SR 109, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to bridge the gap between these two communities. It is a practical, efficient transit corridor rather than a winding scenic detour, making it ideal if your priority is getting to your destination quickly and reliably.
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
79.9 miles from Gallatin, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
110 mi
2h 3m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
17.9 mi
19m
SR 109
16.5 mi
22m
I 75
6.8 mi
9m
Apison Pike
3.9 mi
7m
South Water Avenue
1.7 mi
3m
SR 317
0.4 mi
<1m
Colcord Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 110 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gallatin, TN and Collegedale, TN.
1
Start on TN 25
67 ft·5 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn right onto South Water Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·South Water Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on SR 109
2.2 mi·2 min·SR 109
4
Continue on SR 109
7.1 mi·11 min·SR 109
5
Continue on SR 109
7.2 mi·8 min·SR 109
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 840 West: Chattanooga
7
Merge onto I 840
18 mi·19 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 53A-BToward I 24: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 24
110 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 75
6.8 mi·9 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto SR 317
0.4 mi·32 sec·SR 317
Exit 9Toward SR 317: Collegedale, Volkswagen DriveUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on SR 317
3.0 mi·5 min·Apison Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on SR 317
0.8 mi·1 min·Apison Pike
16
Turn right onto Colcord Drive
70 ft·3 sec·Colcord Drive
17
Arrive at destination
Colcord Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3-hour journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on I-24 is always a smart move. Plan for at least one stop during your drive to break up the 159.8-mile transit and keep yourself refreshed. Budgeting $24 for fuel should keep you covered, but it is wise to check your levels before hitting the longest 110-mile stretch to ensure you aren't forced to stop at a pricier station. Because the route is so efficient, take advantage of your destination arrival time to explore Collegedale immediately rather than wasting daylight on the road. Keep a close eye on navigation apps when transitioning between SR 109 and the main interstate system to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
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 79.9 miles from Gallatin, TN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Collegedale, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gallatin, 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 Gallatin, TN
This is one driving day of about 159.8 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Gallatin, 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 110 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 155.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Water Avenue
Turn right onto South Water Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
36.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward I 24: Chattanooga, Nashville
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 53A-B
Toward I 24: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
36.8 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
8
147.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
8
155.6 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|SR 317
Take the exit onto SR 317 toward SR 317: Collegedale, Volkswagen Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward SR 317: Collegedale, Volkswagen Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.98 one way
$49.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.43
$54.86
premium
$4.89
$30.75
$61.50
diesel
$5.61
$35.28
$70.56
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: 55.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.78
$7.67
Efficient EV
40
0
$13.98
$6.39
EV Truck/SUV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.23
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Gallatin, TN
Late night
in Gallatin on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Collegedale, TN
Late night
in Collegedale on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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 10m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 95% of your journey takes place on highways. The road's personality is defined by efficiency, featuring a significant 110-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-24 that allows you to maintain a steady pace. While the initial segments involve local connectors like SR 109 and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, the drive quickly settles into a consistent interstate rhythm. You will find that the character of the road remains functional and straightforward throughout the duration of the trip. Prepare for a focused, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes steady progress over technical or winding backroads.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Water Avenue.
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 10 significant decision points across 159.8 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 (South Water Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Gallatin, TN to Collegedale, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
36.7 mi in|~46m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 159.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110 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 Collegedale, 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 (South Water Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Collegedale, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
