Traveling from New Tazewell to Chattanooga covers 153.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes. This journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it doesn't require an overnight stay to reach your destination comfortably. You will primarily navigate via Maynardville Highway, I-40, and I-75, which keeps the flow of traffic consistent. Budgeting around $23 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you won't experience drastic shifts in regional culture, but the drive offers a straightforward transition between these two points.
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
76.8 miles from New Tazewell, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
83.1 mi
1h 31m
Maynardville Highway
16.7 mi
24m
I 40
16.6 mi
19m
Highway 33 South
10.1 mi
15m
Maynardville Pike
8.7 mi
13m
I 24
5.8 mi
7m
Knoxville Bypass
5.7 mi
6m
North Broadway
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Tazewell, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on First Avenue
34 ft·8 sec·First Avenue
2
Turn left onto SR 33
0.8 mi·1 min·South Broad Street
3
Continue on SR 33
10 mi·15 min·Highway 33 South
4
Continue on SR 33
11 mi·16 min·Maynardville Highway
5
Continue on SR 33; SR 61; SR 144
0.3 mi·27 sec·Main Street
6
Continue on SR 33; SR 61
5.4 mi·8 min·Maynardville Highway
7
Continue on SR 33
8.7 mi·13 min·Maynardville Pike
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 441
2.4 mi·4 min·North Broadway
9
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·58 sec
10
Merge onto I 640; US 25W
5.7 mi·6 min·Knoxville Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 40; I 75
17 mi·19 min·I 40; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
83 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 75
Toward I 75 South: ChattanoogaUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 24
5.8 mi·7 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville
15
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.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·US 27
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1BToward Downtown
19
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. I recommend planning for at least one stop to break up the 3-hour and 10-minute duration, ensuring you stay refreshed for the duration of the trip. Since the route relies heavily on major interstates like I-75 and I-40, keep an eye on real-time traffic reports, as these corridors can occasionally experience congestion. Given the $23 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave New Tazewell will help you avoid higher interstate pricing. Use your single planned stop strategically to stretch your legs before hitting the final stretch into Chattanooga.
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 76.8 miles from New Tazewell, TN, or about 1h 43m 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 34 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 37m
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 New Tazewell, 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 New Tazewell, TN
This is one driving day of about 153.7 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from New Tazewell, 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 62 and 151.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
62 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
145.1 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
151.7 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
151.9 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
$24.03 one way
$48.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.38
$52.77
premium
$4.89
$29.58
$59.16
diesel
$5.61
$33.94
$67.87
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: 53.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.1
0
$16.14
$7.38
Efficient EV
38.4
0
$13.45
$6.15
EV Truck/SUV
61.5
0
$21.52
$9.84
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
New Tazewell, TN
Afternoon
in New Tazewell on Sunday
Local time
12:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon
in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
12:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph14% chanceLive 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
4 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
3h 10m 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.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 76% of this route is comprised of high-speed transit. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 83.1 miles on I-75. While the initial leg involves navigating Maynardville Highway, the character of the drive shifts toward a more standard interstate grind once you merge onto the main highways. It is a functional drive designed for efficiency rather than technical curves or slow-paced exploration. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for steady highway speeds that make the 153.7-mile distance feel manageable and direct.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 Maynardville Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort9/10
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 10 significant decision points across 153.7 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 62 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,466 ft675 ft
Total Climb
254 ft
Total Descent
1,045 ft
Highest Point
1,466 ft
Elevation Range
791 ft
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 New Tazewell, 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 3h 10m. Total distance: 153.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m 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.
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 62 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Chattanooga, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
