Trip from Monterey, TN to East Chattanooga, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
99 mi
159 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monterey, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Monterey to East Chattanooga, you are looking at a 107.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 53 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting around $16 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Since the entire trip takes place within Tennessee, you will remain in the Southeast region for the duration of your travel. Because this path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a more personal, hands-on driving experience than a typical high-speed commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.5 miles from Monterey, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton Pike | 24.6 mi | 28m |
| Rhea County Highway | 22.3 mi | 28m |
| SR 68 | 20.1 mi | 30m |
| I 40 | 15.8 mi | 16m |
| North Main Street | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| TN 153 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| SR 17 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Piccadilly Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monterey, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
Start on SR 84
Turn left onto US 70N
Continue on US 70N
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 127
Continue on SR 68
Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
Continue on Piccadilly Avenue
Turn right onto US 27
Continue on US 27
Take the exit
Continue on TN 153
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 153
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 17
Turn right onto SR 17
Turn left onto North Chamberlain Avenue
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 107.7-mile trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because the route is composed entirely of local roads, try to avoid peak traffic hours to ensure your 1 hour and 53 minute travel time doesn't drag on. While there are no formal stops listed, consider mapping out your own breaks along US 127 or Crossville Highway if you prefer to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you leave Monterey, as the $16 estimated cost assumes consistent driving conditions. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, prioritize comfort and stay alert, as these local roads require more active steering than a standard highway route.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.5 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Monterey, 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 Monterey, TN
This is one driving day of about 99 miles and 2h 10m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 49.5 miles from Monterey, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Buc-ee's
Eco Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Driver Services Center
Renaissance Park
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+14236436096
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+14237604333
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 96 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto US 27 / Rhea County Highway
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward TN 153 South: Chickamauga Dam
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward SR 17 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.48 one way
$30.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.99 | $33.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.05 | $38.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.86 | $43.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.75 |
| Efficient EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.66 | $3.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.86 | $6.34 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Origin
Monterey, TN
Morning in Monterey on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Destination
East Chattanooga, TN
Morning in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
75°F
Spring City, TN
50 mi in
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
5 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
2h 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on East Stratton Avenue, Crossville Highway, and US 127 to navigate the terrain. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a winding, technical experience rather than long, straight stretches of pavement. The road's personality is defined by constant adjustments and local road conditions, keeping the drive engaging from start to finish. Because there are no designated stops, you will spend the entire duration focused on the rhythm of these secondary roads as you head toward East Chattanooga.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
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 99 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.4 miles (US 27 / Rhea County Highway): Navigation decision point.
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.
On the drive from Monterey, TN to East Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Jamestown along the way.
Jamestown
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 99 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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