Gleason, TN to Chattanooga, TN is 262.5 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I-24, I-40, and Tennessee National Guard Parkway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, predominantly highway drive that can easily be completed in a single day. You’ll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
131.3 miles from Gleason, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
103.1 mi
1h 54m
I 40
68 mi
1h 12m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
State Highway 22
16.9 mi
21m
TN 22
12 mi
16m
SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi
3m
Lexington Street
1.9 mi
3m
Veterans Drive North
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 103.1 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,974 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,367
Quietest
2 AM
~348 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Gleason, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
290 ft·18 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 190
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Cedar Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 190
149 ft·4 sec·SR 190
5
Turn right onto SR 190
0.7 mi·1 min·East Union Street
6
Continue on SR 190
0.4 mi·38 sec·Gleason Newberry Store Road
7
Turn right onto TN 22
17 mi·21 min·State Highway 22
8
Continue on SR 22 Business
390 ft·9 sec·SR 22 Business
9
Turn right onto US 70A
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Drive North
10
Turn left onto SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi·3 min·SR 22 Bypass
11
Turn right onto Lexington Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Lexington Street
12
Turn right onto TN 22
6.5 mi·8 min·TN 22
13
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lexington Clarksburg Road
14
Continue on TN 22
5.4 mi·7 min·TN 22
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
16
Merge onto I 40
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 40
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
18
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 24
103 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
22
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi·59 sec·US 27
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1BToward Downtown
24
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 59m duration, leaving Gleason, TN in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $40, this trip is manageable in a single day. You can easily break up the drive with a brief stop for gas or a quick stretch. Pay attention to the mileage markers, especially during the 103.1-mile segment on I-24, to gauge your progress. Since this is a shorter, highway-focused route, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 131.3 miles from Gleason, TN, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 58 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.3 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gleason, 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 Gleason, TN
This is one driving day of about 262.5 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Gleason, 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 103.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 262.3 — 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|West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 190 / North Cedar Street
Turn left onto SR 190 / North Cedar Street
Navigation decision point
7
35.9 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexing...
7
157.1 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
6
262.3 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.77 one way
$77.53 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.80
$85.59
premium
$4.72
$48.74
$97.48
diesel
$4.80
$49.56
$99.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.56
$12.60
Efficient EV
65.6
0
$22.97
$10.50
EV Truck/SUV
105
1
$36.75
$16.80
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Gleason, TN
Late night
in Gleason on Sunday
Local time
1:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Late night
in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph3% 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 162.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 97% of this 262.5-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 103.1 miles, specifically on I-24. Expect a mostly highway profile, with the transition to surface roads likely occurring near your destination. Keep an eye out for the dense network of exits characteristic of interstate driving as you approach urban areas.
97% 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: 103.1 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 262.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 190 / North Cedar Street): Navigation decision point; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,172 ft406 ft
Total Climb
1,112 ft
Total Descent
844 ft
Highest Point
1,172 ft
~187.5 mi in
Elevation Range
766 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gleason, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad, Lexington, Huntingdon and Franklin.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroad
35.9 mi in|~49m
Lexington
35.9 mi in|~49m
Huntingdon
35.9 mi in|~49m
Franklin
104.1 mi in|~2h 3m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Chattanooga is the 4th largest city in Tennessee. It is the seat of Hamilton County. It is in Southeast Tennessee on the Tennessee River and near the border of Georgia. It was immortalized in the popular 1941 song "Chattanooga Choo Choo", made famous by Glenn Miller.
Top landmarks
•Delta Queen — paddle steamer launched in 1926
•Hunter Museum of American Art — art museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee
•Saints Peter and Paul Basilica — historic church in Tennessee, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 262.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.1 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 Chattanooga, 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 (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 190 / North Cedar Street): Navigation decision point; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Chattanooga, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
