This 152.1-mile drive from Morristown, TN to Chattanooga, TN is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes. With 76% of the journey on highways, it's a straightforward route primarily utilizing I-75 and I-40, with a segment on Andrew Johnson Highway. The estimated fuel cost is around $24, making it an economical option for a quick excursion within the Southeast region. This route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll find it to be a focused highway drive.
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
76 miles from Morristown, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
83.1 mi
1h 31m
I 40
25.6 mi
30m
Andrew Johnson Highway
13.9 mi
15m
West Andrew Johnson Highway
12.5 mi
17m
Asheville Highway
5.9 mi
6m
I 24
5.8 mi
7m
US 27
1.7 mi
2m
West Broadway Boulevard
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morristown, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on North Henry Street
125 ft·9 sec·North Henry Street
2
Turn right onto SR 66
0.8 mi·1 min·West 1st North Street
3
Continue on SR 66
12 mi·17 min·West Andrew Johnson Highway
4
Continue on US 11E
1.4 mi·1 min·West Broadway Boulevard
5
Continue on US 11E
14 mi·15 min·Andrew Johnson Highway
6
Continue on US 11E; US 25W; US 70
5.9 mi·6 min·Asheville Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 25W North, I 40 West
8
Merge onto I 40; US 25W
26 mi·30 min·I 40; US 25W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
83 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 75
Toward I 75 South: ChattanoogaUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 24
5.8 mi·7 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville
12
Take the exit onto US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 27
Exit 178Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout MountainUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
0.2 mi·16 sec·US 27
Exit 178Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout MountainUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·US 27
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1BToward Downtown
16
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 57-minute duration, this route is easily completed in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to arrive and explore Chattanooga. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along I-75 for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 83.1-mile stretch on I-75, to avoid any unnecessary delays. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have flexibility in timing your departure and any brief stops.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76 miles from Morristown, TN, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 31m 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 24m
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 Morristown, 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 Morristown, TN
This is one driving day of about 152.1 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Morristown, 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 75 for about 83.1 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 60.4 and 150.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
60.4 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
7
143.5 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: 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.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
150 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 27
Take the exit onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
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 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
10
150.1 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
6
150.3 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.78 one way
$47.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.11
$52.22
premium
$4.89
$29.27
$58.54
diesel
$5.61
$33.58
$67.16
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: 53.2 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
45.6
0
$15.97
$7.30
Efficient EV
38
0
$13.31
$6.08
EV Truck/SUV
60.8
0
$21.29
$9.73
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Morristown, TN
Late night
in Morristown on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 10 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 6:06PM CDT until April 16 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 6:00PM CDT until April 16 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Late night
in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 5 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 6:06PM CDT until April 16 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 6:00PM CDT until April 16 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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 57m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 152.1-mile trip, as 76% of the route involves interstate travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.1 miles on I-75, offering a consistent pace. While the majority is high-speed driving, there's a portion on Andrew Johnson Highway that might offer a slight change of scenery before rejoining the main interstates. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly.
76% 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: 83.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.4 miles in near I 75.
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 152.1 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 60.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Morristown, TN to Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 152.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: at 60.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chattanooga, TN before heading back.
