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Trip from Mount Pleasant, TN to 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

3h 19m

Distance

176.5 mi

284 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 7m ★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Maury County, Tennessee, United States

Mount Pleasant, TN

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States

Chattanooga, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, to Chattanooga, Tennessee? This drive covers 176.5 miles and is estimated to take around 3 hours and 19 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day excursion. The majority of your journey, 94%, will be on major interstates, primarily I-75, I-40, and I-81. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward path through the Southeast region. You'll find it's a convenient option if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state.

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

88.2 miles from Mount Pleasant, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 83.1 mi 1h 31m
I 40 52.8 mi 59m
I 81 22.7 mi 24m
West Andrew Johnson Highway 8.7 mi 10m
I 24 5.8 mi 7m
US 27 1.7 mi 2m
Old Knoxville Highway 0.3 mi 1m
West Martin Luther King Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, TN and Chattanooga, TN.

1

Start on Mt Pleasant Lane

69 ft · 9 sec · Mt Pleasant Lane
2

Turn left onto Old Knoxville Highway

0.3 mi · 1 min · Old Knoxville Highway
3

Turn left onto US 11E

8.7 mi · 10 min · West Andrew Johnson Highway
4

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
5

Merge onto I 81

22 mi · 23 min · I 81
6

Continue on I 81

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 81
Exit 1B Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
7

Merge onto I 40

53 mi · 59 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

83 mi · 1 hr 31 min · I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga Use the straight lane.
9

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 24

5.8 mi · 7 min · I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville
11

Take the exit onto US 27

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 27
Exit 178 Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 27

0.2 mi · 16 sec · US 27
Exit 178 Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto US 27

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 27
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 1B Toward Downtown
15

Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard

0.2 mi · 29 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16

Arrive at destination

TN 8

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 19-minute drive, leaving Mount Pleasant in the morning should allow you to reach Chattanooga with plenty of daylight remaining. Since it's a relatively short trip and heavily highway-based, you have flexibility with stops; consider making your single planned stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 83.1 miles on I-75, and note the approximate fuel cost is $28. Planning your departure to avoid peak traffic on I-75 as you approach Chattanooga is a good idea.

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 88.2 miles from Mount Pleasant, TN, or about 1h 39m 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 39 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 88.2 miles or 1h 39m 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 41m

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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, TN

This is one driving day of about 176.5 miles and 3h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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.

city in Loudon County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lenoir City, TN

88 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.

Popular next leg

Lenoir City, TN to Chattanooga, TN

89.5 mi · 1h 45m

Pacing Suggestions

Sevierville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lenoir City, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.2 miles from Mount Pleasant, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 miles.

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.

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 63

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cultivate Coffee + Flowers

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 63

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18652537560

Visit website

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 176.5

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14237604333

Visit website

Renaissance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 176.5

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14236436096

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 63

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

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 84.8 and 174.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
84.8 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
167.9 mi into trip | ~3h 7m 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
174.4 mi into trip | ~3h 15m 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
174.6 mi into trip | ~3h 16m 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
174.7 mi into trip | ~3h 16m 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

$27.59 one way

$55.19 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.30 $60.59
premium $4.89 $33.97 $67.93
diesel $5.61 $38.97 $77.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.9 0 $18.53 $8.47
Efficient EV 44.1 0 $15.44 $7.06
EV Truck/SUV 70.6 0 $24.71 $11.30

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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 17, 2026

Origin

Mount Pleasant, TN

Morning in Mount Pleasant on Sunday

Local time

10:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chattanooga, TN

Morning in Chattanooga on Sunday

Local time

10:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 11% chance Live 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

20 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 19m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

27 mi from route ~69 min detour Free near mile 42.6
Park Closure: Abrams Falls Trail Closed
Park Closure: Seasonal road closures
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused drive for this 176.5-mile trip. With 94% of the route on interstates, you'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.1 miles on I-75, so be prepared for extended periods of high-speed driving. This profile suggests a route designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads. You'll likely find yourself on a mix of major arteries as you navigate your way toward Chattanooga.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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?

9/10

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 84.8 miles in near I 75.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 176.5 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 84.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.4 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Chattanooga, TN

Full guide →

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 176.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). 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.

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: at 84.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.4 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Chattanooga, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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