Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Murfreesboro, TN to East Chattanooga, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
105.5 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Murfreesboro, TN to East Chattanooga, TN is 105.5 miles and takes about 2h 4m via I 24, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With over 90% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient trip. The relatively short distance and duration make this an excellent option for a single-day excursion, allowing plenty of time for activities at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Murfreesboro, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 96.5 mi | 1h 47m |
| South Church Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Riverside Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Wilcox Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Dodson Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Georgia Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East 4th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 96.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on South Spring Street
292 ft
·
16 sec
·
South Spring Street
2
Turn right onto East Vine Street
371 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Vine Street
3
Turn left onto South Church Street
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Church Street
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
5
Merge onto I 24
96 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
7
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 27
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
9
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Georgia Avenue
11
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
East 4th Street
12
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
13
Continue on Riverside Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Riverside Drive
14
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Wilcox Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto SR 17
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dodson Avenue
16
Turn right onto SR 17
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Glass Street
17
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Chamberlain Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
North Chamberlain Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour drive time, you can comfortably depart Murfreesboro any time of day and still reach East Chattanooga with ample daylight remaining. The $16 fuel cost is modest, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Murfreesboro to minimize stops. Since the longest stretch on I 24 is 96.5 miles, you might consider a brief stop around the halfway point if needed, though it's not strictly necessary for a drive of this length. Take advantage of the flexibility this short trip offers to maximize your time in East Chattanooga.
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 52.7 miles from Murfreesboro, TN, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.5 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 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 38m
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 Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, TN
This is one driving day of about 105.5 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Murfreesboro, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 96.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.7 miles from Murfreesboro, 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 96.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Tennessee Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - West Bound
0.1 mi from route
Grundy Count Rest Area - East Bound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
I-24 Truck Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
The Bug Man
0.8 mi from route
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+14237604333
Visit websiteRenaissance Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+14236436096
Fiery Gizzard State Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Halfway reset
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Monteagle, Tennessee
Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm
+18888672757
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 100.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
99.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
5
100.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
6
100.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.49 one way
$32.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.11 | $36.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.30 | $40.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.29 | $46.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.23 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.77 | $6.75 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Murfreesboro, TN
Morning in Murfreesboro on Tuesday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Chattanooga, TN
Morning in East Chattanooga on Tuesday
Local time
8:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 4m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 92% of the 105.5 miles on I 24. You'll experience a long stretch of 96.5 miles on I 24 before transitioning to surface streets like South Church Street and Riverside Drive for the final portion. Expect frequent exits and potential merging traffic as you approach East Chattanooga.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.5 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and South Church Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 105.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 2.9 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
About the Cities
Starting in Murfreesboro, TN
Full guide →Murfreesboro is a city in the Nashville metropolitan area of Middle Tennessee. It is the largest suburb of Nashville and the sixth largest city in Tennessee. Since the 1990s, Murfreesboro has been Tennessee's fastest growing major city and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Murfreesboro is home to Middle Tennessee State University, the second largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, with almost 23,000 students in 2014.
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 2h 4m. Total distance: 105.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.5 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 2.9 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From East Chattanooga, TN
More trips to East Chattanooga, TN
Explore more options from Murfreesboro, TN or browse trips ending in East Chattanooga, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.