Skip to main content

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

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 1m ★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States

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
Longest stretch: Dayton Pike — 24.6 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Monterey, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.

1

Start on SR 84

0.3 mi · 30 sec · South Holly Street
2

Turn left onto US 70N

0.4 mi · 47 sec · East Stratton Avenue
3

Continue on US 70N

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Crossville Highway
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
5

Merge onto I 40

16 mi · 16 min · I 40
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 317 Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
7

Turn straight onto US 127

7.6 mi · 11 min · North Main Street
8

Continue on SR 68

20 mi · 30 min · SR 68
Use the left lane.
9

Continue on Herb M Wassom Mem Highway

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Herb M Wassom Mem Highway
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on Piccadilly Avenue

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Piccadilly Avenue
11

Turn right onto US 27

22 mi · 28 min · Rhea County Highway
12

Continue on US 27

20 mi · 22 min · Dayton Pike
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward TN 153 South: Chickamauga Dam
14

Continue on TN 153

4.7 mi · 5 min · Dayton Pike
15

Keep slight left at fork onto TN 153

3.3 mi · 4 min · TN 153
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 5B Toward SR 17 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn straight onto SR 17

2.5 mi · 4 min · SR 17
18

Turn right onto SR 17

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Glass Street
19

Turn left onto North Chamberlain Avenue

52 ft · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

North Chamberlain Avenue

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.5 miles from Monterey, TN, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.6 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 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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Monterey, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dayton Pike for about 24.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Spring City, TN

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

Crossville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Spring City, TN

Meal break

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.

Eagle Exxon

0 mi from route

Buc-ee's

1.3 mi from route

Eco Travel Plaza

1.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

1.5 mi from route

Driver Services Center

1.7 mi from route

Renaissance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 99

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14236436096

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 99

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14237604333

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 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.

4
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

6
16.9 mi into trip | ~18m in

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

Exit 317 Toward US 127, TN 28: Crossville, Jamestown
4
45.4 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | US 27 / Rhea County Highway

Turn right onto US 27 / Rhea County Highway

Navigation decision point

4
87.7 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward TN 153 South: Chickamauga Dam

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward TN 153 South: Chickamauga Dam
7
96 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Take the exit toward SR 17 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5B Toward SR 17 South

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.48 one way

$30.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Monterey, TN

Morning in Monterey on Sunday

Local time

6:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Chattanooga, TN

Morning in East Chattanooga on Sunday

Local time

7:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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.

42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.6 mi on Dayton Pike.

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.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 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.

On the drive from Monterey, TN to East Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Jamestown along the way.

Jamestown

16.9 mi in | ~18m

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

The longest stretch is about 24.6 miles on Dayton Pike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 5 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 East 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at East Chattanooga, TN before heading back.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

East Chattanooga, TN to Monterey, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

98.8 mi 2h 12m

Explore more options from Monterey, TN or browse trips ending in East Chattanooga, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.