Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
151.4 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hartsville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
This 151.4-mile drive from Hartsville, TN to Chattanooga, TN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours to complete. You'll primarily be on I-24, with about 87% of the journey on highways, making it a straightforward journey through the Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $24, which is quite economical for the distance covered. This route is ideal for a focused drive, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently without needing an overnight stop.
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
75.7 miles from Hartsville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 103.1 mi | 1h 54m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 22.9 mi | 24m |
| Hartsville Pike | 10.4 mi | 18m |
| I 40 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| River Street | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Lebanon Pike | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East Baddour Parkway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hartsville, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
Start on SR 141
Turn right onto SR 141
Turn right onto SR 141
Continue on SR 141
Turn left onto US 70; SR 141
Continue on US 70
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Continue on I 840
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 24
Take the exit
Continue on US 27
Take the exit
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Given the manageable 3-hour duration and 151.4-mile length, this trip is perfect for a flexible departure. Aim to leave Hartsville in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic on I-24. With only one recommended stop, you can easily plan your breaks around your needs, perhaps midway through the 103.1-mile stretch on I-24. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $24 estimated cost suggests you won't need frequent fill-ups, but it’s always wise to be aware of service areas, especially on longer highway segments.
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.
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 33 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.7 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hartsville, 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 Hartsville, TN
This is one driving day of about 151.4 miles and 3h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 75.7 miles from Hartsville, 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 103.1 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 17.2 and 151.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left toward I 40 West: Nashville
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$23.67 one way
$47.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.99 | $51.98 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.14 | $58.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.43 | $66.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.90 | $7.27 |
| Efficient EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.25 | $6.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.20 | $9.69 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Hartsville on Sunday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 151.4-mile route. With 87% of the drive on main roads like I-24, you'll encounter sustained highway speeds for significant portions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.1 miles on I-24, offering a good opportunity to cover ground quickly. While much of the drive is on the interstate, the inclusion of roads like Tennessee National Guard Parkway and Hartsville Pike means you’ll have some transitions to navigate, offering a slight variation from a pure interstate grind.
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 around 17.2 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 151.4 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 17.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hartsville, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Murfreesboro and Nashville.
Murfreesboro
Nashville
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 151.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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